A Wisdom Archive on Sannyasa

Sannyasa: The monastic life.

 
(See also: Sannyasa, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Sannyasa Dictionary

sannyasa: (Sanskrit) "Renunciation." "Throwing down or abandoning."
 
Sannyasa is the repudiation of the dharma, including the obligations and duties, of the householder and the acceptance of the even more demanding dharma of the renunciate.
 
The ancient shastras recognize four justifiable motivations for entering into sannyasa: vidvat, vividisha, markata and atura.
Vidvat ("knowing; wise") sannyasa is the spontaneous withdrawal from the world in search for Self Realization which results from karma and tendencies developed in a previous life. Vividisha ("discriminating") sannyasa is renunciation to satisfy a yearning for the Self developed through scriptural study and practice. Markata sannyasa is taking refuge in sannyasa as a result of great sorrow, disappointment or misfortune in worldly pursuits. (Markata means "monkeylike," perhaps implying the analogy of a monkey clinging to its mother.) Atura ("suffering or sick") sannyasa is entering into sannyasa upon one's deathbed, realizing that there is no longer hope in life. See: sannyasa dharma, sannyasa diksha, videhamukti.

(See also: Sannyasa, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Sannyasa Dictionary

sannyasa
The renounced order of life. See sannyasi.

 
(See also: sannyasa, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Sannyasa Dictionary

There are four Asramas or stages in life, viz., Brahmacharya or the period of studentship, Grihastha or the stage of the householder, Vanaprastha or the stage of the forest-dweller or hermit, and Sannyasa or the life of renunciation or asceticism. Each stage has its own duties. These stages help the evolution of man
 
The four Asramas or orders of life are Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa.
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Dharma in Hinduism: The Four Asramas in Hindu Dharma

The third stage is that of the Varnaprastha. Brahmacharya is a preparation for the life of the householder. Even so, Vanaprastha is a preparation for the final stage of Sannyasa. After discharging all the duties of a householder, he should retire to the forest or a solitary country place and begin to meditate in solitude on higher spiritual things
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Sanatana Dharma: The Vanaprastha or the Recluse in Sanatana Dharma

Dasanama Sannyasins: Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanat-Kumara and Sanat-Sujata were the four mind-born sons of Lord Brahma. They refused to enter the Pravritti Marga or worldly life and entered the Nivritti Marga or the path of renunciation. The four Kumaras were the pioneers in the path of Sannyasa. Sri Dattatreya also is among the original Sannyasins. The Sannyasins of the present day all descendants of the four Kumaras, Dattatreya and Sankaracharya.
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Dasanama Sannyasins: Hindu Sects and Cults - Dasanama Sannyasins