Ashrama
/ˈɑːʃ.rə.mə/noun
In Hinduism, one of the four traditional stages of life, or a religious hermitage associated with spiritual practice.
Did you know?The classical Hindu system describes four ashramas—student, householder, forest-dweller, and renunciant—turning an entire lifetime into a ritual path toward liberation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European (possibly)
PIE
*ḱrem-
“A proposed Indo-European root associated with exertion or effort; the deeper reconstruction is debated.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
śramá
“Exertion, labor, weariness, or religious austerity.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
āśrama
“A stage of life, religious discipline, or hermitage; traditionally linked with spiritual effort.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
āśramá-dharma
“The duties or disciplines assigned to each traditional stage of life.”
19th Century
English
ashrama
“A Sanskrit term used in English writing about Hindu religious life and philosophy.”
Modern English
English
ashrama
“A stage of life in Hinduism or a spiritual retreat and hermitage.”