Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

SANNYASIN, OR BHIKSHU

A symbol of an ego who has attained liberation from the lower nature and "cast off everything from himself," and now proceeds upward through the buddhic plane.

"Jab. Up. 4. enjoins entrance into the sannyâsa only after passing through the stages of brahmacarin, grihastha and vanaprastha, but permits the transition direct from any stage." - DEUSSEN, Phil. of Upanishads, p. 374.

The spiritual ego progresses, first, through the personality (brahmacarin) in the present life of experience, moral discipline, and aspiration (study of the Veda), second, through the individuality (grihastha) in the causal-body, third, through the individuality centred on the higher mental plane above the causal-body, (the vâna. prastha).

"The sannyasin after thus separating himself from sacrificial duties, a highly significant act followed, upon which accordingly stress is laid by all the texts, namely the laying aside of the sacred thread, the token that he belongs to the Brahmanical class, and the lock of hair which indicates his family descent. Henceforth meditation alone is to serve as a sacrificial cord, and knowledge as the lock of hair." - Ibid., p. 377.

The ego having fulfilled the law of sacrifice in renouncing the lower, rises above the condition signified by the "sacred thread and lock of hair," namely, the causal individuality (Brâhman caste) from which he has sprung. He finds within him the Divine life of love and wisdom, and he has direct knowledge of the truth.

See Also

ALMSGIVING
ASCETIC
Asramas
BRAHMA-CARIN
HAIR (side-lock)
HERMIT
KUSTI
MENDICANT
ORDERS
YAJNOPAVITA