The wording ashram (Sanskrit: आश्रम, Sanskrit pronunciation: [aːɕɽəmə]) comes from the Sanskrit root śram- (श्रम्) which means "to toil".[3] According to S. S. Chandra, the term means "a step in the journey of life".[4] In contrast, according to George Weckman, the term ashram connotes a place where one strives towards a goal in a disciplined manner. Such a goal could be ascetic, spiritual, yogic or any other.
