Srila Sridhar Maharaja: This ashram is being opened today. What is its position? In Srimad Bhagavatam we find,
vanam tu sattviko vaso gramo rajasa ucyate
tamasam dyuta-sadanam man-niketam tu nirgunam
(S.B. 11.25.25)“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 (the Supreme Lord) reside is transcendental.”
Vana-vasa means plain living with the minimum of material things to help our life, that is vana-vasa. It is a simple life, plain living and high thinking, but there also we are masters of that little thing, that sattvika-vasa. It is most conducive to our religious life. There is no grandeur of any material enjoyment,