pravritti nivritti

Scriptures define the fundamental spiritual paths the privritti marga or the way of the world for householders and the path of renunciation and devotion for realized souls

. both paths are meant to lead to the final goal of salvation. this concept is symbolically conveyed in the bhagwad purana when the process of creation is described. 

the first stage the primary creation when the divine will stirs prakritti into action and the fundamental categories become manifest in conjunction with the forces of time kala karma and swabhava nature.. then Brahma is ordained by the supreme lord to continue the creation.

Brahma first creates the five modifications of the evil, these are Tamas, not being aware of ones own nature; moha association with the sense of I and mine; mahamoha desire for enjoyment; tamisra anger when enjoyment is thwarted; andhatamisra total loss of oneself in worldly enjoyments. Brahma feels dissatisfied at having brought forth these sinful creations. Then he  creates a group of four sages known as kumaras, and commands them to multiply the species.

These mind born sons of Brahma, the saages Sanaka;Sananda;Sanatana and Sanathkumara are realised souls at birth and are thus not able to obey Brahma's orders to beget progeny being naturally inclined towards renunciation. they take to ascetic life or the path of Nivritti. It is then that Brahma creates sages such as Marichi, Atri, Angirasa, Vasishta and others who exemplify the Pravritti marga acting in accordance with Brahma's wishes to propagate the human race. They show the importance of the four Purusharthas dharma, artha, kama and moksha.