05/12/2026
The book, "The Vanaprastha Ashrama: Meeting Death With Joy" by Devaki Devi Dasi is the seminal and first comprehensive exploration of the Vanaprastha Ashrama.
From the book description,
"We will discover the underlying principles of the Vanaprastha ashrama - the valuable contribution this ashram is giving to society, and the necessity of cultivating the internal mood of detachment and renunciation. Furthermore, we receive deep insights into what exactly takes place at the moment of death, how to practically prepare oneself, and how to support others in this final journey.
This book is not only relevant for anyone around fifty years of age, but a MUST for anybody who wants to get a clear idea of what retirement within Krishna consciousness means, in order to meet death in great hope and joy.
"To prepare oneself for the better next life, one must get out of one's so-called home. The system of varnashrama-dharma, or sanatana-dharma, prescribes retirement from family encumbrances as early as possible after one has passed fifty years of age. [...] One is recommended to quit home just to get rid of material attachment because one who sticks to family life until death cannot get rid of material attachment, and as long as one is materially attached, one cannot understand spiritual freedom."
- Srila Prabhupada (Purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.1.16)
