Many Hindus marry and have children at a young age and become great-grandparents when they reach their 70s. As elders, they play vital roles in extended family households. By caring for children when the parents are working they forge close ties with younger generations. Greatly respected for their experience and wisdom, the elderly pass on spiritual traditions to children still learning the fundamentals of existence.
When the responsibilities of raising a family are over, elderly Hindus have time to visit holy sites, read spiritual literature, meditate, pray or discuss the scriptures. People use these years to cleanse themselves of negative karma.
Renunciation
Some devout Hindus reject all material possessions and familial bonds in order to immerse themselves in spiritual pursuits. Complete renunciates live as hermits and ascetics, denying themselves family, home, childhood friends, occupation and worldly goods for their entire lives.
But Hindus from any walk of life may choose to spend periods of time focused purely on the Divine. Lawyers, accountants, pharmacists and farmers join tent communities at sacred locations. These simple accommodations house thousands of men and some women who travel long distances to meditate and fulfill vows. Whether for weeks or years, this difficult but respected way of life has been an integral part of Indian culture for thousands of years.
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