Abstract
The author describes the changes that have occurred within the structure of ISKCON. He focuses on the institution asrama, because this has always been central to the measures taken by ISKCON over the years in attempts to regulate its social infrastructure. Asrama is usually clearly defined, and any ISKCON devotee can fairly easily explain which asrama he or she belongs to (there seems to be more confusion about the concept of varna). However the relationship between asramas in ISKCON in the Nordic countries has changed over the years. The author attempts to describe one reason for the changes: namely, the development of the concept of purity within ISKCON.