Definition

1. Noun:
   • A Hindu ascetic holy man: A "sadhu" is a religious ascetic or mendicant in Hinduism who has renounced worldly life to pursue spiritual goals, often characterized by simple living, meditation, and devotion.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The sadhu sat by the river, deep in meditation.
  • Many pilgrims travel to Varanasi to seek blessings from the sadhus.
  • He left his corporate job to live the life of a wandering sadhu.

Advanced Usage

• "To take the vows of a sadhu": to formally renounce worldly life and become an ascetic.
  • After years of spiritual seeking, he decided to take the vows of a sadhu.

Variants and Related Words

• Sadhavi (noun): A female ascetic or holy woman in Hinduism.
  • The sadhavi was equally revered by the community.
• Sadhana (noun): Spiritual practice or discipline.
  • His daily sadhana included hours of meditation and scriptural study.

Synonyms

• Ascetic: A person who practices severe self-discipline and abstains from worldly pleasures for religious reasons.
• Mendicant: A beggar, especially one who begs for religious reasons; a friar.
• Sannyasi: In Hinduism, a person in the final stage of life who has renounced all worldly attachments.

Related Phrases

• Holy man: A general term for a man recognized as being virtuous, pious, or saintly.
• Renunciant: A person who formally rejects or gives up something, especially worldly pursuits.

Related Idioms

• "To live like a sadhu": To live an extremely simple, austere, and spiritual life, often implying a lack of material possessions.
  • Since his retirement, he has been living like a sadhu, with few belongings and a focus on inner peace.

Noun

1. (Hinduism) an ascetic holy man