Kūrmapurāṇa (Kurmapurana) has further divided Caturāśrama (Chaturasrama, the four phases of life) in three types, according to the variance amongst Vaiṣṇava (Vaishnava), Brāhma(Brahma) and Śaiva (Saiva).

The four āśrama(asrama) emerged from the mind, eyes, ears, and skin of God Nārāyaṇa (Narayana).

For the Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana), the four āśrama — Brahmacarya (Brahmacharya), Gārhasthya (Garhasthya), Vānaprastha(Vanaprastha) and Sannyāsa(Sannyasa) — are to be performed. For the Kṣatriya (Kshatriya), only Brahmacarya, Gārhasthya, Vānaprastha are to be performed. Only Gārhasthya and Vānaprastha should be observed by the Vaiśya (Vaisya). And the Śūdra (Sudra) should only observe the Gārhasthya āśrama.