Our Geetaji lived a pure, simple, life dedicated to yoga. She was the ultimate yogini – doing her duty, living in the right way and eventually “gaining her freedom” when on December 16th 2018 our beloved Geetaji’s life on earth came to an end. She had just entered her 75th year completing the stage of life known as Vanaprastha which literally means ‘giving up worldly life’.
In December 1993 during a Yoga Intensive in Panchgani, India, Geetaji explained the Hindu traditions of the four stages in a person’s life and how the Indian philosophers, Rishis, classified these stages:
There are four ashrama (stages) of human life; Brahmacharya (bachelor student, 1st stage), 
Grihastha (householder, 2nd stage), Vanaprastha (transition, 3rd stage)
and Sannyasa (renunciation ascetic, 4th stage) over a life expectancy of 100 years.
The first 25 years are when the agni (fire) of the intelligence is bright, a time for acquiring knowledge. It is the time for study and learning called Brahmacharya. Then this acquired knowledge becomes ‘experienced’ knowledge that can be shared during the next stage called Grihasthasrama. Geeta said, ‘After knowing many things you have to know your duty in this world. Since you have come to existence in this world – you were born in this world – you have to know your duty and fulfil it’. This stage means doing something fruitful for the society, such as bringing up healthy children and educating them to ensure that they are the torchbearers of the next generation. Grihasthasrama is a time to experience the world and worldly life.
The next stage, Vanaprasthasrama, is the threshold between Grihasthasrama and the final stage, Sannyasasrama. In Grihasthasrama devotion and caring for family is a priority so it is possible for these affectionate ties to become too attached. So in Vanaprastha a person must hand over household responsibilities to the next generation, take on an advisory role, and gradually withdraw from th
e world. Geetaji explained that the Vanaprastha stage is where there is a gradual transition from householder’s responsibilities to a greater emphasis on community services and spiritual pursuit. She emphasised, ‘That when you have maturity, knowledge and experience and you are not going to be permanent in this world transfer that to the next generation as a guideline so that they go on the right path’.
The Vanaprastha stage ultimately transitions into Sannyasa – a stage of complete renunciation and dedication to spiritual questions. After the age of 75 it is Sannyasasrama stage where a person becomes non-attached to this world. Our beloved Geetaji completed her 75 years in this world to perfection. And it was we her students who benefitted from her dedication, wisdom, generosity and love. ??