Q. Consider the following statements regarding the ashramas system in ancient India:

1. The ashramas were considered distinct stages of life prescribed especially for brahmin, kshatriya and vaishya men.
2. Women enjoyed complete freedom to independently choose and practice any of the ashramas according to their will.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Answer: Only 1
Notes: The ashrama system delineated four life stages for brahmin, kshatriya, and vaishya men: brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha, and sanyasa. Women generally did not have the autonomy to choose their ashramas, often following their husbands' paths and were not permitted to study the Vedas, making Statement 1 correct and Statement 2 incorrect.