Sannyasa
Sign in to saveAlso known as Sanyassa, Sanyasa, Samnyasa
thumb|Photograph of a Sanyasi ascetic, albumen print, by Captain W. W. Hooper & Surgeon G. Western, Hyderabad,
~21 min read
Article
19 sectionsContents
- Etymology and synonyms
- History
- Lifestyle and goals
- The goal
- The behaviors and characteristics
- Types
- Literature
- When can a person renounce?
- Who may renounce?
- What happened to renouncers' property and human rights?
- Renunciation in daily life
- Warrior ascetics
- Upanishads
- Major Upanishads
- Sannyasa Upanishads
- See also
- Notes
- References
- External links
thumb|Photograph of a Sanyasi ascetic, albumen print, by Captain W. W. Hooper & Surgeon G. Western, Hyderabad,
Sannyasa (), sometimes spelled sanyasa, is the fourth stage within the Hindu system of four life stages known as ashramas, the first three being brahmacharya (celibate student), grihastha (householder) and vanaprastha (forest dweller, retired). Sannyasa is traditionally conceptualized for men or women in the last years of their life, but young brahmacharis have the choice to skip the householder and retirement stages, renounce worldly and materialistic pursuits and dedicate their lives to spiritual pursuits.