a place where Hindus live together, away from other people (asrama, from a + srama ). or ashrama In Hinduism, any of the four stages of life through which a "twice-born" (see upanayana) Hindu ideally will pass. These stages are: the student, who is devoted and obedient to his teacher; the householder, who supports his family and the priests and fulfills duties to the gods and ancestors; the hermit, who withdraws from society to pursue ascetic and yogic practices; and the homeless mendicant, who renounces all possessions and wanders from place to place begging for food. In English the word has come to mean a place for the pursuit of spiritual or religious disciplines, often under a guru
A centre to which the Master gathers aspirants and disciples for personal instruction and where nothing of the personality is allowed to enter The state of consciousness of a spiritual group
(lit , a place that removes the fatigue of worldliness) A place of retreat where seekers engage in spiritual practices and study the philosophy of yoga