Ashramas — Zia Hassan

Function: The BIS is responsible for sensitivity to punishment, non-reward, and novel situations. It regulates avoidance behavior.
Emotional Responses: It is associated with feelings of anxiety, fear, and apprehension. When activated, it can lead to cautious or inhibited behavior.
Neurobiological Basis: The BIS is thought to involve brain regions such as the hippocampus and amygdala, which are associated with processing risk and fear.

The four ashramas, and a brief descripton of each are:

Brahmacharya: This is the first stage of life, which starts from birth and continues until marriage. During this period, a person is expected to acquire knowledge through studying and learning. They are also expected to live a life of celibacy and discipline.
Grihastha: This is the second stage of life which begins after marriage. During this stage, a person is expected to fulfill their responsibilities towards their family and society. They should earn an honest living, take care of their family, and contribute towards society.
Vanaprastha: This is the third stage of life which begins after one’s children have grown up and are independent. In this phase, a person starts withdrawing from worldly affairs and focuses more on spiritual pursuits. They might retreat to forests or secluded places for meditation.
Sannyasa: This is the final stage of life where a person renounces all material possessions and social ties to focus entirely on spiritual enlightenment. They detach themselves from all worldly desires and aim for liberation (moksha).

I suppose this is what we mean when we say that a life has been cut short; all beings should have the right to experience each of these roles.