According to Hindu Dharma, there are four stages of life known as Ashrams: Brahmcharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, and Sannyasa. The Brahmcharya Ashram represents the student phase, which ideally ends by the age of 25. While one can continue to study beyond this age, marriage is generally expected to follow. The Grihastha Ashram begins at 26 and lasts until around 50, during which individuals are expected to marry and build a family. Vanaprastha, the stage from 50 to 75, is a time for preparing for the final stage of life, Sannyasa.
During Vanaprastha, individuals are expected to fulfill their familial responsibilities, such as marrying off their daughters and helping their sons become self-sufficient. They should also start preparing for Sannyasa by engaging in meditation and rituals. Sannyasa, which starts at around 76 and continues until death, involves renouncing worldly attachments and living a life of asceticism. Sannyasis, or renunciates, do not stay at home but reside in monasteries, which are available in every Indian city, where they live free of cost.
To become a Sannyasi, individuals must perform various rituals, the most significant being the symbolic renunciation of their physical body. They often stand naked in the river while reciting mantras, symbolically discarding their worldly self. Though they remain physically alive, they perform all the rites usually done posthumously, signifying their detachment from earthly life. Consequently, Sannyasis’ bodies are never cremated; instead, they are submerged in the river. Once they have entered Sannyasa, they are bound by strict rules.
These include prohibitions against handling money, dealing with fire, cooking, and consuming flavorful food. They must beg for their sustenance, purify their food by washing it, and repeat the name of Lord Ram 21,000 times daily. They traditionally wear orange clothing, symbolizing their devotion to Hinduism. Brahmin Sannyasis carry a staff, which is also submerged with their body upon death; no other caste members receive this staff. Sannyasis typically reside in monasteries with other Sannyasis, dedicating most of their time to repeating the name of Lord Ram.
They might receive occasional visits from their families, but generally lead solitary lives. During my work with researchers, I met numerous Sannyasis, and their stories were consistently surprising. Most expressed a profound eagerness for death, often stating that they hope to meet their end soon. I once spoke with a 70-year-old woman who had lived in a monastery for 30 years, waiting for death. She was the first female Sannyasi I had encountered. She explained that while females do not undergo the same rigorous rituals as males, they follow similar rules and live in separate sections of the monasteries.
She came to Varanasi with her husband, who had tuberculosis. After his death, she continued to live in the monastery, awaiting her own. Despite the unconventional nature of her life, she was deeply content and looked forward to her final moment. In contrast, I also spoke with a male Sannyasi, around 70 years old, who had embraced Sannyasa at 35 due to personal tragedies. Though he appeared quite ill, he too was happy discussing his impending death. I found it intriguing how people could be so content discussing their end.
Another Sannyasi I met had turned to Sannyasa to escape legal consequences. Accused of multiple murders, he sought refuge in Varanasi and became a Sannyasi to evade the authorities. He continued to live a relatively comfortable life, with family visits and monetary support, which was contrary to the austere image of Sannyasa. My experiences with various Sannyasis revealed a wide range of motivations and circumstances. Many seemed to view Sannyasa as a form of penance or a path to liberation. Despite a recent decline in the number of Sannyasis, Varanasi remains a unique destination where people come to conclude their earthly journeys.
am fasting….. and i wil continue, til i find peace.. til i clear d debts f my family….. i hav dat resposibility…. den….. i dnt knw. wher shud i go. help me….. its my email……..renjith91@outlook.com
sai ram….
i want to take sanyasi…because i m fed up with life…….no body likes me…. i m waste…. i m alone in this world no bro and sis…. no body understands me…… i m in critical situation….. i attempted sucide also…… even god also not like me………..
I want to join in sanayasam ….I am 29 years old got married … I hav not taken this decision in hurry. How can I approach…?
I AM WANT BECOME SANYASI TO COZ LIFE IS SO BAD NO LOVE NO MONEY I NEED TO LEFT WORLD SOME ONE HELP PLS {jai200563@yahoo.com } is my fb pls help me i am so sad person
For all future readers,
You cannot become a ‘Sanyasi’ just by thinking you can be one. Why don’t you think that ‘Sanyasi’ is also a job too. Just like not all people are eligible to become a ‘Police’, not all are eligible for this. Most of them are just looking to leave all their responsibilities and looking for free life. Remember there is competition in this role too and you cant wake up one night in the middle and take this route. In your life, you will see series of events and you will hear the true voice which you never heard before and that day you will not crave for anything and your path will directly lead to something which you will wont be able to express.. People talk about it and you listen and they name you as ‘Sanyasi’ – you really don’t even care at that point “what are you being called or named”.. Good Luck..
Hi friends….
I have seen many of u guys wanted to get to sanyasi … but real reason being problems ur facing…. as same as u all are even myself facing lot many problems from age of 22.. I fnshd my studies and got job and faced many problems like family problems , job problems and business problems but even though due to all the problems to my enlightenment I’m doing dairy bussiness since 3yrs … I’m 29right now.. even I’m facing loss in dairy business… I’m going forward instead which I waneed to become sanyasi at 22… so as a hope for life I wish u all at the young age(17 to 25) .. leave behind all ur problems ur facing and try to look for a good life instead of sanyasi feel… As a request u all try to do something other or helping other people and it will make u all to god.
Respected sir,I am 36 years old deaf women.I became deaf after marriage.I have 2 kids.Now my husband leave me because of another women.What should i do now?How can i make money?i will never gone outside from 14 years.Should i take sanyas?plz give me advice
I am 47 yrs. Old married man. I have wife & 2 children.
I wish to become sanyani. Please guide me.
I am 25 year old. .. got irritation
about married live so want to go for sanyasini…..
Dear all,
It is very surprising to read most of your comments. I assume you have not understood the concept of sanyas properly. 90% of you want to take sanyas because of emotional reasons…. Sanyas is just not about waiting for death…. It is waiting for moksh… Requesting all mighty to get u rid of the vivacious cycle of life and death…. It is about overcoming these emotions you all are facing… If u have these emotions u r very much a normal human and can not every be a sanyasi…. And let me tell you if u r really made for a sanyas jeevan…. “DONT SEARCH IT OR RUN AFTER IT… IT WILL ITSELF SEARCH U AND TAKE U TO UR DESTINATION” wait for that time… My humble suggestion is just live your life and try to find the real reason why u have a life and why are u born…. Not everyone is born to be a sanyasi… Only those who are born to be liberated and attain moksh can end up being REAL SANYASIS.
P.S. : dear author a very nice write up…
Hi i want to get sanyashi plz help me or reply
I am monika 22 years old i want to become sanyasi please some one help me
i wanna die…..i dont want to live in this world.,…….can i take sanyas at the age of 18 or can i become pujari???
i am a doctor i want to become a sanayasi so plz advise me haw can i do it
I want to take saniyasi ….because I take wrong decision in my life. .Now never give up.. .so saniyasi is good for my life I am alone in this life …
No body understand me. I attempted sucide but god also not understand me so I want to talk with god and take may answers for my unhappy life so I want to take saniyasi so please advise me how can I do it.
pls…. someone help me want to become sanyasi or want to die married two kid
dear sir; regards to you all. i wish to become sanyasi; i am not married; i am leading my life without happiness fear for future job and no one loves me they just want materialistic things from me i have no keen relatives who ate keen for my problems solutions: ok this is my fruit of karma inpast may be; now can any one help me out to become sanyasi forsadhana pls help
pls shirish
I want to take sanyas. I can’t find meaning of this life. I don’t find interest in anything.
I would like to join if anyone here have decided to become sanyasi/sadhu
Please help me.
I think one must finish ones karma.if we dont and run away then that wont be proper.gods like people who do their test properly not run away.one suffers more as a nonsanyasi because not only one has go through suffering but see others suffering .andthat person gets mukthi quick er than a sanyasi.
I do not believe in this article. informations are wrong. I agree partially with Aparajita, however her last statement saying good write up makes me to think further.
Lot of people said want to take Sanyas, but reasons does not make sense. Like kid will not eat food when he/she gets angry with mother. First of all, why do you want to take Sanyas? just to be free from tensions (your mind currently feels in this world) or attain moksha? if it first one, go back home and watch how all problems going away. if it is second one, i.e. attain moksha… is this only way? why do you want to attain moksha? everyone says you want to attain moksha, what will you do after that? everyone assumption after moksha will be happy soul or wont born again on this earth and suffer? come on guys… even bacteria or smaller invisible living beings are existing and re- producing every day, don’t they want to take Sanyas? Human has brain to think and result all these various forms. Do your duty and rest are mystery. Sanyas – Life which don’t want to be in earth since earth is made for life which needs love, anger, sin, punniya, karma etc.
Think one more thing, before human civilized and started all these differentiation among them, why God did not have Sanyas? lot of concepts in this world… think, consume which is good for you at that time and live happily. Rest is MYSTERY in this world and no one will know about it.
Example: How many of you scare of Ghost? and Why?
Say this to Ghost – maximum Ghost can do to you (as per old believes/movies :)) is death. You are scared to leave you relations, loved ones or greedy in this life you see. Say this to Ghost – if already death can do something to me, think if I die because of you and became ghost? I will trouble more than you did to me when I was human. 😀
Ending up my understandings, I may get lot of -ve comments or +ve one… but I don’t worry about it.
I got married but I am not happy in my married life I hate him and no family support so I want to become a sanyasi plz guide me
All those who wish to be sanyasi or sanyasin, to me they all give a feeling that they are ALONE, Lonely and depressed. Some of them who are in twenties , may have different reasons but all have one thing in common. They have no religious, community service , helping others and any such reason for becoming sadhu or sadhvi. Whereas i think that becoming sanyasi is to give whatever you have- knowledge, help to others, contribute in their lives. Mr. Sanjay, the doctor above can contribute a lot to the people.
I am 67, male, hale and hearty, all of you who really wish to become sadhu, sanyashi may communicate with me and we can jointly decide the system to become sanyasis who can be usuful to the people by our taking sanyas. If your reasons for sanyas are just to leave your families because of strained relations or other reasons, we can explore the reasons to live our further life by making it meaning ful and as the same time pursue our aim of become sadhu or sadhvi.
Those who find my idea acceptable may kindly write to me on my email: shrivksharma@yahoo.com or call at 9818822225. I AM KEEN TO BE A SANYASI WITH AN AIM TO ATTAIN REAL PEACE AND WOULD LIKE TO LIVE MY BALANCE LIFE MEANINGFULLY.
GOD BLESS TO ALL….
I want to get more knowledge about inner realization…ppl who like to get Sanyasam…pls reply me….peace is life…
respctd Padma …pls reply me….I feel lots pain by Seeing ur wrds
Jai Sri ram,
Sarvey bhavanthu Suginaha, Sarvey shanthu Niraamayaa,
Sarvey bhathrani basyanthu, makhachith Dukha bhathbaveth;
Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi;
As above said by Ghost, aparajitha, and anil reddy;
it is true that every one cannot be sanyasi;
But somebody enlighten to become sanyasi by surrounding people;
somebody by their karma;
But most of sanyasis are compelled by the pressure of Grahasthasramam;
I am also the one ; but i am not sanyasi but i am willing to be;
but i am in search of a suitable guru to me to enlighten my darkness;
May god bless us all; Om shanthi
My name is Mahesh Koregol. I am a beggar for money. Please give me money. Please make me as a Sanyasi.
Hi, I want to take sanyas and help to people on these way. In above most of people commented like they are frusted that’s why they take sanyas. But im not gonna to take sanyas of this reason. Actually i think i born for sanyas only. I want moksha and want to be present great example infront of world with help people. Life is so critical but many door open when u going for actual solution and want to leave life happily. So plz atleast tell one way to take sanyas and the process. My Age is [31] . Thanks . and wait for reply as sson as possible..!!
I am suffering from so much of pain in my life. The person whom i loved most giving me the pain. I have no desire to live this life, instead of ending my life i want to take sanyasa and want to do something to make free my soul and also can help or can do any noble work for people, society. I want to live a life like a devotee of God. Please help me someone how can i take sanyasa and can live a peaceful life.
Dear readers, every one on this earth have born with a reason either by past karmas or by wish of God. Taking Sanyas or escaping from situation or commiting sucides is not a solution for problems. Go through the principles of Gita and also go through Swmi Vivekanad’s speeches, you all will get answers and solution for your problems and doubts. Waiting for death happily is not created only by taking sanyas. When ur turn comes it automaticaly comes to you. Dear editor good post with incomplete details. God bless all of you with his blessings with Nishkam Satkarm yog. Sarve Janah sukhino bhavantu Sanmangalani bhavantu….OM
I want to become a sanyasi I am 36 years old I am totaly colapsed in my married life no peace in my life no money I am helpless in this world so pls help me to take sanyasi its very urgent
Respected sir/madam,i bhavana 24years old i want to join sanyasi in order to live a life wid peace of mind its a big wish list for me so how can i approach you can you please assist me
I am a defeated woman i am waiting for my death but before i dead i want gods blessing i want to take sanyasa plzzz any one help me how could i join there plzzz tell me any ashyama to join right now am in bangalore plzzz help me
dear brothers and sisters,
Well , many of you expressed that u want to get into sanyasaashram. Infact,if u really look into the reason for ur idea of being sanyasi…it is only n only the worldly problems that you are trying to escape from…and with this reason even if u enter the sanyas aasharam you wouldnt be successful.And this would happen because…sanyasi is the one with the highest state of mind..and that state could be attainable only after a perfect analyzation of life.i mean a sanyasi is the one who has already crossed manyy difficult stages of life and faced them successfully.
well, my dearest brothers and sisters , life is just a game…accept whatever comes into ur life and be brave to face all ur problems successfully.Every problem would definitely have a solution.Everyone of us have infinite strength within us.realise that strength and everything becomes possible.Have faith in urselves brothers and sisters!!all the best!!
I want to become sanyashi and I am at age of 23 . Plz help to become sanyashi
I have a vision to become a viragi in my life from my childhood and I started running after it but I failed in academics now I am starting my own business .I will be successful in that and after that I wanna test my self fit for nirvana
Actually i m 26 years i am interested for many a days to just live my rest life before god only for him but no onelse yes god have only send me to do my work in this world but people are very rude i want to spent my life befor him please help me out
I want to become sanyasi please gide me.Take me from my home please.
Please contact me 9700708020
I want to became sanyasi, i am 24 years old iam not intrested about mrg life,soo plzzz tell me how can approach to became a sanyasi,
Iam vidya I want to became sanyasi, i am 24 years old iam not intrested about mrg life,soo plzzz tell me how can approach to became a sanyasi,
I want piceful life
I want to live like sadhu (sanyashi) bcz I am help less person.my wife is not like me I am 32 years old and my wife is 25 years old. She want live like model and she wants many more boy frnds her age gruop. Ye muje meri wife ne hi bataya jab maine ye suna to ye din mere life ka sab se bura aur kala din tha. Meri wife muje 7 years se janti h aur unke kahne per maine sadhi b kiya tha maine kabi force nahi kiya unko sadhi karne ka per unko maine mere se sadhi karna h ya nahi kar k bahut time b diya mere mummy papa ne b bahut time diya aur meri wife ne bola ki main sadhi karungi to tumse varna main kisi se b nahi karungi per ab unko main aged wala admi dikhta hu..muje bahut bura lagta h maine unko kabi dukhi nahi kiya.per ab vah muje ghar main bitha k khud jhut bol k boy frnd k sath ghum k aati hai.main bahut paresan ho muje ab ye moh maya ki duniya nahi chahiye.muje pahle hi malum tha ki ladki ka creator thik nahi h per maine socha ki main unko sudhar lunga per ye mere se jhut bol k b chali jati thi.mera chhota buisness h jo ki mere liye kya ek aam insan k liye kafi h main month k 3 se 4 lakh kama leta hu.per meri wife ko mera buisness pasand nai tha main hotel industry se hu.aur meri wife bolti h tumhari cmpny logon k juthe bartan dhone wali cmpny h. Mere cmpny main wo kaam b nahi karna chahti.so ye sari prblm main apne mummy papa ko nahi bolna chahta kyuin ki unki sari umeed tut jayegi.main bahut paresan hu koi muje help kariye ki muje kaise aur kab Apni life achhe se nikal saku.
Sir i want join ashram life is ooooooooooooo
Please guide me
i am 29 year old
dear sir ,
i wannna take sanyas , i got fadup with my life .
if there any possibilityies plz contact to me 9977746296
i am also like to , to take sanyasam ,,,,, he he he he going going to sanyasam ……:)
i am here in world dont feel every body 🙂
Respected sir/madam,i lalit 24years old i want to join sanyasi in order to live a life wid peace of mind its a big wish list for me so how can i approach you can you please assist me
I want to become sadhu because i enjoyed my life every thing i am just 25 and i want peace rest of my life
pls…. someone help me want to become sanyasi
respected sir
good evening
my self manoj kumar
and age 24, unmarried
i get sannyas bcz i am not interested in married life and i make social woker in tha life
plz contact to me respected sir
mobile :- 9871591771
email :- manojk488@gmail.com
if you want to take sannyas, its best to find a guru, there are many gurus.
I am 38 years old male. Want to become sanyasi as I don’t see any meaning in the world. I want to seek the ultimate truth and possibly alleviate human suffering to possible extent. Could anyone guide me to right place and right guru?