SANNYASI

also spelled sannyasin, Sanskrit Sannyasin (abandoning, or throwing down) in Hinduism, a religious ascetic, one who has renounced the world, having achieved the fourth ashrama, or stage, of life. The name sannyasi also specifically designates an ascetic who pays particular allegiance to the god Siva, who is sometimes known as the great ascetic. The Saiva ascetics were organized in the 8th century AD by the renowned Hindu teacher Sankara into 10 orders, the dasnami (see dasnami sannyasin). Among the sannyasis, the highest stage of achievement is that reached by the paramahamsa (great swan). This honorific is usually given only after a probation of at least 12 years as an ascetic and only to those sannyasis who have achieved full self-knowledge. They are considered free of all worldly rules and duties, such as those pertaining to caste, and are no longer required to carry out image worship or sacrifices but may, if they wish, worship internally only. The most renowned paramahamsa of modern times was the 19th-century saint Ramakrishna. Sannyasis, like other sadhus, are not cremated (the customary method of disposing of the dead among Hindus) but are generally buried in a seated posture of meditation.