Following the householder's stage, a man is expected to give up his belongings and retire from active family and social life to seek seclusion from the world. His wife can come with him or be left behind with her sons. According to the Laws of Manu, “When a householder sees his skin wrinkled and his hair gray and when he sees the son of his son, then he should resort to the forest.” In addition, he should be available to offer advice and guidance to family and society.

In this stage, a man should be engaged in study and should be willing to give more than he receives. He should strive to be self-controlled, friendly, spiritually composed, and compassionate. Finally, the Law of Manu dictates, “Having consigned the sacred fires into himself in accordance with the prescribed rules, he should live without a fire, without a house, a silent sage subsisting on roots and fruit.”