What is the Ashrama system and what are its four stages?

Here are the four Ashramas:

1. Brahmacharya: This was the student life, from 5 to 24 years, where individuals lived with their Guru (teacher) in a Gurukul to acquire knowledge.
2. Grihastha: This was the householder stage, between 25-49 years, when a person would marry, establish a family, and gain wealth.
3. Vanaprastha: This was the forest dweller stage, between 50-74 years, where a person would withdraw from household duties, share wisdom, and engage in spiritual pursuits.
4. Sanyasa: This was the renunciate stage, from 75 years onwards, where a person would completely renounce worldly attachments, meditate, and seek spiritual liberation.