Sanyasi—Renunciate
Sannyasi (Devanagari: संन्यासी; ISO 15919: saṁnyāsī) refers to a renunciant or monk who has completely abandoned material attachments to pursue God-realization, typically living a life of celibacy.
Eligibility and Warning Scriptural law states that anyone, regardless of age or caste, may renounce their worldly duties the moment they develop Yukta Vairagya (true/appropriate detachment).
The scriptures say that anyone, regardless of age or caste, can leave their worldly duties when they develop true detachment yukta vairagya.
However, the Narada-parivrajaka Upanishad issues a stern warning: if one abandons external duties while internally harboring material desires, it is considered a sin. Such hypocritical renunciation leads to punishment in hell (narak).
According to this Upanishad, Sannyasis are divided into four types, based on how deeply they have renounced the world.
Categories of Sannyasis According to the Narada-parivrajaka Upanishad and other texts, Sannyasis are categorized based on the depth of their renunciation and spiritual status:
- Kutichaka (Devanagari: कुटीचक; ISO 15919: kuṭīcaka)
- Bahudaka (Devanagari: बहूदक; ISO 15919: bahūdaka)
- Hamsa (Devanagari: हंस; ISO 15919: haṁsa)
- Paramahamsa (Devanagari: परमहंस; ISO 15919: paramahaṁsa)
Other Vedic scriptures define two more categories
- Turiyateet (Devanagari: तुरीयतीत; ISO 15919: turīyatīta)
- Avadhuta (Devanagari: अवधूत; ISO 15919: avadhūta): A highly enlightened being who has completely transcended worldly concerns, social norms, and even religious rituals.
Further Reading and Reference
- Alternate Spelling: sanyasi, sannyasi
- Related Concepts: karma, jnana, bhakti
- Reference: Who am I? Who is Mine? Vol. 1, Ch. 1