Asrama

The Definition Of Asrama

In a general sense asrama refers to a residence where holy people live and
perform religious austerities. In Sanskrit the term asrama is broken down as
– aryata sramyate yatra iti asramah. This means that an asrama is a place
where people strive to attain immortality. Also, the term ‘asrama’ is
derived from the Sanskrit root ‘srama’ that means exertion or fatigue.
The term ‘asrama’ has been used in Sanskrit literature to mean both a
place and mode of life associated with religious exertion, and also as a
place where there is no exertion (a-srama). In a way, both usages are proper
and can be harmonized to mean that an asrama is a place where there is no
exertion for selfish material ends, but all exertion is only to serve the
Supreme Lord and His devotees. Wherever this ideal is found, that place can
be termed as an asrama irrespective of any material consideration. In such a
mode of life the residents of the asrama never incur any karma, or reaction
since their activities become transcendental. The same concept can be found
in the following verse of Srimad Bhagavatam:

vanam tu sattviko vaso gramo rajasa ucyate
tamasam dyuta-sadanam man-niketam tu nirgunam

Residence in the forest is in the mode of goodness, residence in a town is in
the mode of passion, residence in a gambling house displays the quality of
ignorance, and residence in a place where I reside is transcendental. (Bhag.
11.25.25)