Ashram: 1) in Hinduism, one of the stages of human life. The ashram system divides human life into four stages. On each stage a person should gain a certain spiritual growth. 0-24 years – brahmacharya (getting knowledge from a guru, ability to control oneself); 25-49 years – grihastha (creating a family and upbringing children); 50-74 – vanaprastha (sharing wisdom with others and preparation for withdrawing from the world); 75-100 – sannyasa (life in seclusion devoted to meditations, spiritual growths and search for moksha).

2) A hermitage of a recluse in ancient India. Nowadays ashram is a center for meditation, yoga practice and rituals performance.