Many scholars translate Sannyasa as monkhood, which means living under the vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience to some group or guru. However, this is inaccurate because the concept of sex as a sin or taboo was introduced into Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) through Christianity and Buddhism.

Sanatana Dharma never tied Sannyasa to your sex life, and it had no rigid rules about abstinence. It was a personal decision of each person, and faith never interfered.

Don’t agree with me? Then, put aside all the works of scholars from the last century and read the ancient Puranic scriptures in Sanskrit. If you still don’t agree, see the featured image of Sage Agastya with his wife, Sage Lopamudra. Now, you have no choice but to agree with me!

The Definition of Sannyasa

The term Sannyāsa combines two root words:

• San: To be fulfilled, To gain
• Nyāsa: Abandoning, Pledging, Bringing forward

Therefore, Sannyasa means

• Abandoning something
• Pledging something
• Bringing forward something

So that we can

• Be fulfilled
• Gain Mukti, spiritual liberation

Sannyasi is the gender-neutral reference to those who follow Sannyasa.

The Somethings

In the above definition, what are those ‘somethings’? What should we abandon, pledge, and bring forward?

Here comes a spiritual bouncer: That “something” is up to each individual. Let go of everything that takes you away from the divine in you, and embrace everything that helps you feel divine.

Not convinced with my views? Let’s refer to Sanatana Dharma’s gold standard: Sri Krishna’s words in the Bhagavad Gita.

The Words of the Divine

Arjuna wished to practice Sannyasa, loosely translated as renunciation, to cope with his challenging situation. In other words, he viewed Sannyasa as escapism from life’s problems.

Rescuing him from such thoughts, Sri Krishna explained the true meaning of Sannyasa. In Srimad Bhagavad Gita (5.3), the Bhagavan said:

jñeyaḥ sa nitya-sannyāsī
yo na dveṣhṭi na kāṅkṣhati
nirdvandvo hi mahā-bāho
sukhaṁ bandhāt pramuchyate

Meaning: They should be considered Sannyasi, who don’t hate, don’t desire, and are without dualities. Mighty-armed-one (Arjuna), such ones joyfully get liberated from bondage.

Pay attention, and you’ll find those ‘somethings’ in the above verse. Here:

• Abandon ‘inner negativities’. The phrase ‘don’t hate’ in this verse refers to all internal impurities. Only those who keep a pure mind can flip hatred into love (against indifference). Eliminating inner negatives to feel unconditional love is an integral part of Sannyasa.
• Pledge ‘to drop desires’. Letting go of desires is the fundamental requirement for Sannyasa. As long as we have desires, we can’t attain liberation. Developing mindfulness and non-attachment helps us drop our desires.
• Bring forward ‘your pure inner self ’. Divinity lives in us, yet most feel like the divine is elsewhere. In Sanatana Dharma, this state of mind is called duality, and removing it is a part of Sannyāsa. We practice austerities for self-purification to bring forth that divinity hiding in us.

Sannyasa for Non-Monks

As the term Sannyasa indicates, it has nothing to do with your marital status. Also, it’s clear from Sri Krishna’s words that it’s not abstinence from physical intimacy either.

In short, Sannyasa denotes developing and maintaining a pure state of mind that makes one feel fulfilled and helps one attain Mukti or liberation. Any lifestyle that gets you there is acceptable for a Sannyasi. If anyone tells you otherwise, please quote Sri Krishna to them!

Love,
Sri Devi Om