Ashram

This article is about spiritual hermitages or monasteries. For other uses, see Ashram (disambiguation).

An ashram^[1] (Sanskrit: आश्रम, āśrama) is a spiritual hermitage or a monastery in Indian religions.^[2][3]

Ashram of sage Kanva depicted on terracotta plaque, 2nd century BCE.

Etymology

The Sanskrit noun āśrama- is a thematic nominal derivative from the root śramⁱ 'toil' (< PIE *ḱremh₂, cf. śramaṇa) with the prefix ā 'towards.'^[4] An ashram is a place where one strives towards a goal in a disciplined manner. Such a goal could be ascetic, spiritual, yogic or any other.^[5]

Overview

Sevagram Ashram in Sabramati, 1936.

An ashram would traditionally, but not necessarily in contemporary times, be located far from human habitation, in forests or mountainous regions, amidst refreshing natural surroundings conducive to spiritual instruction and meditation. The residents of an ashram regularly performed spiritual and physical exercises, such as the various forms of yoga. Other sacrifices and penances, such as yajnas, were also performed.^[6] Many ashrams also served as gurukulas, residential schools for children under the guru-shishya tradition.

Sometimes, the goal of a pilgrimage to the ashram was not tranquility, but instruction in some art, especially warfare. In the Ramayana, the princes of ancient Ayodhya, Rama, and Lakshmana, go to Vishvamitra's ashram to protect his yajnas from being defiled by emissary-demons of Ravana. After they prove their mettle, the princes receive martial instruction from the sage, especially in the use of divine weapons. In the Mahabharata, Krishna, in his youth, goes to the ashram of Sandipani to gain knowledge of both intellectual and spiritual matters.^{[citation needed]}

Schools in Maharashtra

Boarding schools, especially in the tribal areas of Maharashtra and elsewhere in India, are called ashram shala or ashram schools. One such school is the Lok Biradari Prakalp Ashram Shala.^[7][8]

In the West

A number of ashrams have been established outside India. Typically, these ashrams are connected to Indian lineages,^[9] focus on imparting Yoga-related teachings, often in residential retreats, and are headed by spiritual teachers (Indians or Western).

Gallery

• 
  Sabarmati Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed.
• 
  Sevagram Ashram
• 
  Ashram with folk architectural elements with wood and bamboo roof.
• 
  Arshram in Sabarmati
• 
  Sabarmati Ashram with folk architectural elements; stone floors and wood and lime-plaster walls.
• 
  Wooden rafters in ashram
• 
  Small ashram hut in Sabramati
• 
  Ashram at Sabramati with verandha
• 
  Acharjya Binoba Bhabe's kutira at Sabaramati Ashram
• 
  Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, the headquarters of Divine Life Society, founded by Sivananda Saraswati in 1936
• 
  Kailash Ashram, Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh, established by Dhanraj Giri

See also

• Sivananda Ashram
• Dhanraj Giri
• Parbrahm Ashram