thumb|Ashram of sage [[Kanva depicted on terracotta plaque, 2nd century BCE]]

An ashram (, ) is a spiritual hermitage or a monastery in Hinduism.

Etymology

The Sanskrit noun is a thematic nominal derivative from the root 'toil' (, from Proto-Indo-European , compare ) with the prefix 'towards'. An ashram is a place where one strives towards a goal in a disciplined manner. Such a goal could be ascetic, spiritual, yogic or otherwise.

Overview

thumb|Sevagram Ashram in Sabramati, 1936

Traditionally, though not necessarily in contemporary times, an ashram would 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. 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.

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.

In the West

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

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File:Sabarmati-Ashram-8.jpg|Sabarmati Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed

File:Sevagram Ashram .jpg|Sevagram Ashram

File:Inside Gandhiji Ashram, Seva Gram.jpg|Ashram with folk architectural elements with wood and bamboo roof

File:Gandhiji's room @ gandhi ashram.JPG|Arshram in Sabarmati

File:Sabarmati Ashram during Dwaraka DWARASPDB 2015 (14).jpg|Sabarmati Ashram with folk architectural elements; stone floors and wood and lime-plaster walls

File:Hut inside Gandhi Ashram.JPG|Small ashram hut in Sabramati

File:Gandhi Aashram.JPG|Ashram at Sabramati with verandha

File:Acharjya Binoba Bhabe 's kutira at Sabaramati Ashram , Gandhi memorial , Ahamadabad.jpg|Acharjya Binoba Bhabe's kutira at Sabaramati

File:Ramanasram main entrance.jpg|Sri Ramana Ashram, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, established 1922

File:Entrance to Aurobindo ashram in Pondicherry.JPG|Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, established in 1926

File:Ashrams on the banks of Ganges, Rishikesh.jpg|Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, the headquarters of Divine Life Society, founded by Sivananda Saraswati in 1936

File:Kailash Ashram, Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh.jpg|Kailash Ashram, Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh, established by Dhanraj Giri

</gallery>

See also

  • Sivananda Ashram
  • Dhanraj Giri
  • Parbrahm Ashram

References