Ashram

Ashram is a place of religious retreat for Hindus or a hermitage, and also the four stages in life as per Indian philosophy. The hermitages are established by monks to spend the rest of their monastic life.

The four stages of life are Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanprastha, and Sannayasa.

During Brahmacharya Ashram, a person is supposed to observe celibate life and remain a student in the humble obedience upon his Guru.

Grihastha Ashram begins when a student finishes his studies and marries to raise a family.

Vanprastha Ashram begins when a person, after fulfilling all his duties as a Grihastha, leave that life for living in the jungles as a holy person.

Sannyasa begins when a Vanpratha man leave that life to become a mendicant sage.