sannyasins

Sannyasins are renunciates, typically Hindu ascetics who have renounced worldly life to pursue spiritual realization. The term originates from the Sanskrit word "sannyasa," meaning renunciation or abandonment. Sannyasins often dedicate their lives to meditation, austerity, and the study of religious texts, seeking liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara).

The practice of sannyasa is a significant stage in the Hindu ashrama system, a framework for life's stages. While traditionally a path for men, women have also embraced sannyasa throughout history. Sannyasins are characterized by their detachment from material possessions, societal norms, and familial ties. They often wear distinctive saffron-colored robes and may live in monasteries, temples, or wander as mendicants.

Different Hindu traditions have their own interpretations and practices related to sannyasa. For instance, followers of Advaita Vedanta, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism may have unique philosophical underpinnings and rituals associated with renunciation. The sannyasin's goal is to attain moksha, or liberation, which is understood as the ultimate spiritual freedom and union with the divine or the ultimate reality. Their lifestyle is a testament to their commitment to spiritual pursuits above all else.