The modes of life four in number, O child! All of them serve the object for which they have been designed; and the duties they declare differ from one another. Learning them first from competent preceptor's, reflect upon them, OGalava.
नारद उवाच आश्रमास्तात चत्वारो यथासंकल्पिताः पृथक्। तान् सर्वाननुपश्य त्वं समाश्रित्येति गालव॥