# SB 1.7.2 > सूत उवाच > ब्रह्मनद्यां सरस्वत्यामाश्रमः पश्चिमे तटे । > शम्याप्रास इति प्रोक्त ऋषीणां सत्रवर्धनः ॥२॥ ## Text > sūta uvāca > brahma-nadyāṁ sarasvatyām > āśramaḥ paścime taṭe > śamyāprāsa iti prokta > ṛṣīṇāṁ satra-vardhanaḥ ## Synonyms *sūtaḥ*—Śrī Sūta; *uvāca*—said; *brahma-nadyām*—on the bank of the river intimately related with *Vedas, brāhmaṇas,* saints, and the Lord; *sarasvatyām*—Sarasvatī; *āśramaḥ*—cottage for meditation; *paścime*—on the west; *taṭe*—bank; *śamyāprāsaḥ*—the place named Śamyāprāsa; *iti*—thus; *proktaḥ*—said to be; *ṛṣīṇām*—of the sages; *satra-vardhanaḥ*—that which enlivens activities. ## Translation **Śrī Sūta said: On the western bank of the River Sarasvatī, which is intimately related with the Vedas, there is a cottage for meditation at Śamyāprāsa which enlivens the transcendental activities of the sages.** ## Purport For spiritual advancement of knowledge a suitable place and atmosphere are definitely required. The place on the western bank of the Sarasvatī is especially suitable for this purpose. And there is the *āśrama* of Vyāsadeva at Śamyāprāsa. Śrīla Vyāsadeva was a householder, yet his residential place is called an *āśrama.* An *āśrama* is a place where spiritual culture is always foremost. It does not matter whether the place belongs to a householder or a mendicant. The whole *varṇāśrama* system is so designed that each and every status of life is called an *āśrama.* This means that spiritual culture is the common factor for all. The *brahmacārīs,* the *gṛhasthas,* the *vānaprasthas* and the *sannyāsīs* all belong to the same mission of life, namely, realization of the Supreme. Therefore none of them are less important as far as spiritual culture is concerned. The difference is a matter of formality on the strength of renunciation. The *sannyāsīs* are held in high estimation on the strength of practical renunciation.