sannyasin
Definition
Noun: A Hindu religious mendicant; a person who has renounced worldly life and material possessions to devote themselves fully to spiritual pursuits, often as a wandering ascetic.
Usage
The term is used specifically within Hindu traditions to denote the final stage of life (ashrama) for some spiritual seekers. It refers to an individual who has taken formal vows of renunciation.
Examples
- After decades as a householder, he embraced the life of a sannyasin, seeking moksha (liberation).
- The sannyasin traveled from village to village, offering spiritual teachings and living on alms.
- In the tradition, a sannyasin is considered beyond the rules of ordinary society.
Advanced Usage
- Taking sannyasa: The act of formally becoming a sannyasin.
- At the age of seventy, he decided on taking sannyasa.
Variants and Related Words
- Sannyasi: An alternative spelling and form of the same word.
- Sannyasa (noun): The state, order, or vow of renunciation itself.
- Sadhu: A broader term for an ascetic or holy person, which includes sannyasins.
Synonyms
- Ascetic
- Renunciant
- Mendicant
- Holy man (in the Hindu context)
Notes
The word "sannyasin" is of Sanskrit origin. It is a specific religious and cultural term, not a general synonym for "monk" or "hermit," as it carries distinct philosophical connotations from the Hindu paths of liberation.
Noun
-
a Hindu religious mendicant
