Varnasram-dharma

varnasram-dharma the social and occupational orders established by the Lord consisting of the four varnas (brahman, ksatriya, vaisya, and sudra) and the four asrams (brahmacharya, grhastha, vanaprastha, and sannyas). When souls observe their duties within this system according to their nature as a means to serve the Supreme Lord, they gradually transcend the modes of material nature and satisfy the Lord. When the orders within the system are thought to be determined by birth and when souls use the system to pursue material gain or liberation, however, no one attains any spiritual benefit by following it.

— books Sri Sri Prema-vivarta / Glossary