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/ˈæʃrəməz/
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/ˈæʃrəməz/
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/ˈæʃrəməz/
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/ˈæʃrəməz/
Plural
ashramas
Ashramas are traditional Indian spiritual retreats—often secluded homes, schools, or centers—where people live simply while practicing meditation, yoga, study, and service under a guru's guidance; they also refer to the four classical stages of life in Hindu dharma (student, householder, forest-dweller, renunciant). Think of them as both physical sanctuaries and philosophical life paths.
Many Western seekers travel to India to study at ancient ashramas nestled in the Himalayan foothills.
The guru established three ashramas across South India to support rural spiritual education.
In classical Hindu thought, the four ashramas guide a person’s lifelong journey toward wisdom and liberation.
She spent two years living in an ashrama near Mysuru, rising before dawn for chanting and silent contemplation.
Modern urban ashramas now offer weekend meditation retreats alongside online satsangs.
ashrama
Comes from Sanskrit 'āśrama' (आश्रम), meaning 'a hermitage', 'spiritual retreat', or 'stage of life' in Hindu philosophy. It derives from the root 'śram' (to exert effort, to strive, to perform austerity), prefixed with 'ā-' (toward, intensifying). Core concept: a place or phase dedicated to disciplined spiritual practice. Examples include ashrama, brahmacharya (first ashrama), grihastha (second ashrama), vanaprastha, sannyasa.