Consider the following pairs:

Aitareya Brahmana – first mention of asrama system

Jabala Upanishad – explanation of the four asramas

Chandogya Upanishad - a detailed description of the upanayana

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

Question

The asrama system is found mentioned first in the Aitareya Brahmana.
A much clearer reference to the three asramas occurs in the Chandogya Upanishad.
In the Jabala Upanishad, Yajnavalkya expounds the four asramas. Hence they belonged to the later Vedic period. Meant mainly for regulating the life of the male members of the higher castes, they consisted of four stages: (a) brahmacharin or student life, (b) grihastha or life of the householder, (c) vanaprastha or partial retirement and (d) sannyasin (yati) or complete retirement (ascetic life). Full recognition of the fourth stage was done only in the post-Vedic period.
The Satapatha Brahmana gives a detailed description of the upanayana as an important sacrament (samskara).

GKToday Admin · Accepted Answer

Only 1 & 2

The asrama system is found mentioned first in the Aitareya Brahmana.
A much clearer reference to the three asramas occurs in the Chandogya Upanishad.
In the Jabala Upanishad, Yajnavalkya expounds the four asramas. Hence they belonged to the later Vedic period. Meant mainly for regulating the life of the male members of the higher castes, they consisted of four stages: (a) brahmacharin or student life, (b) grihastha or life of the householder, (c) vanaprastha or partial retirement and (d) sannyasin (yati) or complete retirement (ascetic life). Full recognition of the fourth stage was done only in the post-Vedic period.
The Satapatha Brahmana gives a detailed description of the upanayana as an important sacrament (samskara).

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