Explanation:

Around the time when Jainism and Buddhism were becoming popular, brahmins developed the system of ashramas.Ashramas refer to stage of life: brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha and samnyasa.Brahmin, kshatriya and vaishya men were expected to lead simple lives and study the Vedas during the early years of their life (brahmacharya).Then they had to marry and live as householders (grihastha).Then they had to live in the forest and meditate (vanaprastha). Finally, they had to give up everything and become samnyasins.The system of ashramas allowed men to spend some part of their lives in meditation.Generally, women were not allowed to study the Vedas, and they had to follow the ashramas chosen by their husbands.