In Hinduism, sadhu is a common term for an ascetic or practitioner of yoga (yogi) who has given up pursuit of the first three Hindu goals of life: kama (pleasure), artha (wealth and power) and even dharma (duty). The sadhu is solely dedicated to achieving moksha (liberation) through meditation and contemplation of God. Although the term Sadhu has its roots in Hinduism it is also used for followers of other religions, if they live a Sadhu life. The most famous non-Hinduist Sadhu was probably the Christian Sadhu Sadhu Sundar Singh and there are Sadhus in Sikhism as well. Hinduism (Sanskrit , also known as and ) is an Indian religious tradition that is based on the Vedas, and is among the oldest still practiced today. ... The word ascetic derives from the ancient Greek term askesis (practice, training or exercise). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A kama is a weapon that is very unique. ... Artha is a Sanskrit term referring to the idea of material prosperity. ... Dharma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Moksha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Michelangelos depiction of God in the painting Creation of the Sun and Moon in the Sistine Chapel This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... Sadhu Sundar Singh is believed to have disappeared in the foothills of the Himalayas in 1929. ... The Golden Temple is a sacred shrine for Sikhs Sikhism (Punjabi: , ), is a panentheistic religion based on the teachings of ten Gurus who lived in northern India during the 16th and 17th centuries. ...

Sadhu in a hindu temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x1536, 565 KB)Sadhu in a hindu temple, Kathmandu, Nepal. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x1536, 565 KB)Sadhu in a hindu temple, Kathmandu, Nepal. ... Kathmandu (Nepali: काठमाडौं) is the capital city of Nepal. ...

Sadhus in Indian society

Sadhus are often sanyasi, or renunciates, who have left behind all material and sexual attachments and live in caves, forests and temples all over India. The word comes from the Sanskrit "to practice", referring to the practice of meditation. See sadhana. Sanyasa (pronounced sanyaas) symbolises the conception of the mystic life in Hinduism where a person is now integrated into the spiritual world after wholly giving up material life. ... The word temple has different meanings in the fields of architecture, religion, geography, anatomy, and education. ... Sanskrit ( संस्कृतम्) is an Indo-European classical language of India and a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. ... Meditation is the practice of focusing the mind, often formalized into a specific routine. ... Sadhana means spiritual exercise in Hinduism. ...

A sadhu is usually referred to as baba by common people. The word 'baba' means father, or uncle, in most Indian languages. Sometimes the respectful suffix 'ji' may also be added after baba, to give greater respect to the renunciant.

There are 4 or 5 million sadhus in India today and they are still widely respected, revered and even feared, especially for their curses. It is also thought that the austere practices of the sadhus helps to burn off their karma and that of the community at large. Thus seen as benefitting society, many people help support sadhus with donations. However, reverence of sadhus is by no means universal in India. Historically and contemporarily, sadhus have often been seen with a certain degree of suspicion, particularly amongst the urban populations of India. Today, especially in popular pilgrimage cities, posing as a 'sadhu' can be a means of acquiring income for beggars who could hardly be considered 'devout.' Look up Curse in Wiktionary, the free dictionary A curse is the effective action of supernatural (or psychological) cause in an individual, group, or objects existence, distinguished solely by the quality of adversity that it brings, else it would be considered a charm or a blessing. ... Karma (Sanskrit: कर्म from the root kri, to do, meaning deed) or Kamma (Pali: meaning action, effect, destiny) is a term in several eastern religions that comprises the entire cycle of cause and effect. ...

Sadhu sects

Sadhus are not unified in their practices. Some live in the mountains alone for years at a time, eating only a few bananas. Others walk around with one hand in the air for decades until the fingers withdraw into a stump. Still others partake in the religious consumption of charas, similar to marijuana and contemplate the cosmic nature and presence of God in the smoke patterns. Charas is the name given to hand-made hashish in India. ... Species Cannabis indica Cannabis ruderalis Cannabis sativa Cannabis is a genus of flowering plant that includes one or more species. ... Michelangelos depiction of God in the painting Creation of the Sun and Moon in the Sistine Chapel This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ...

There are naked Naga (Digambar, or "sky-clad") sadhus with thick dreadlocks, or Jata, who carry swords. Aghora sadhus may keep company with ghosts, or live in cemeteries as part of their holy path (See: Aghori). Indian culture tends to emphasize an infinite number of paths to God, such that sadhus, and the varieties that sadhus come in, have their place. Dreadlocks, sometimes called simply dreads or locks, are matted ropes of hair which will form by themselves if the hair is allowed to grow naturally without the use of brushes, combs, razors or scissors for a long period of time. ... This article is about the paranormal. ... The iconic three heads represent Shiva as Aghori, Ardhanarishvara (half male-half female God) and Mahayogi (great Yogi). ...

According to the Ripley's Believe It or Not TV show, there are a few sadhus among the Aghora sect who ritually eat human flesh. They claim to be performing the duties of Shiva (Lord of death) by consuming human corpses thrown into Ganga river. Despite their ritual indulgence in cannibalism, they lead an otherwise austere life. Ripleys Believe It or Not! deals in the bizarre—events and items so strange and unusual that it is often hard to believe that they actually exist--but they do: believe it. ... This article is about the Hindu God Åšiva. ... The River Ganges (Ganga in Indian languages) is a major river in northern India. ... Cannibalism in Brazil in 1557 as described by Hans Staden. ...

However, for every sadhu who is doing some form of extreme practice, there is another one who is devoting all of their time and attention to praying, chanting or meditating.

Becoming a sadhu

Becoming a sadhu is a path followed by few. It is supposed to be the fourth phase of a Hindu’s life, after studies, being a father and a pilgrim, but for most it’s not a practical option. There are some who fake holy status to gain respect but they are often discovered by true sadhus.

Becoming a sadhu is a difficult lifestyle. Sadhus are considered to be dead unto themselves, and they may be required ritually to attend their own funeral before following a guru for many years, serving him by doing menial tasks until acquiring the necessary experience to leave his leadership. References ^ Tirha, B. B. A Taste of Trascendence, (2002) p. ...

The sadhu life

The ruggedness of the sadhu life deters many from following the sadhu path. Such practices as the obligatory early morning bath in the cold mountains require a detachment from common luxuries. After the bath, sadhus gather around the dhuni, or holy fireplace, and begin with their prayers and meditation for the day. Prayer is an effort to communicate with a God, or to some deity or deities, either to offer praise to the deity, to make a request of the deity, or simply to express ones thoughts and emotions to the deity. ...

Some sadhus practice black magic or herbalism and dispense cures to the local community, remove evil eyes or bless a marriage. They are a walking reminder to the average Hindu of Divinity. They're generally allowed free passage on the trains and are a closely-knit organisation. Some were even military in the old days, and even now, the Naga babas carry their swords with them. Black magic is the branch of magic that is used to perform evil acts or that draws on malevolent powers. ... Dioscorides’ Materia Medica, c. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Divinity has a number of related uses in the field of religious belief and study. ...

Many sadhus have entered the Guinness World Records for feats of marathon endurance including standing for 17 years, staying in the same place for more than two decades, crawling 1400 km and many similar efforts, in their quest to attain spirituality. Suresh Joachim, minutes away from breaking the ironing world record at 55 hours and 5 minutes, at Shoppers World, Brampton. ... This is a list of decades which have articles with more information about them. ...

Kumbh Mela, a mass gathering of sadhus from all parts of India, takes place every four years at various points along the holy River Ganges. Sadhus of all sects join in this reunion. The 2001 Kumbh Mela. ... Early morning on the Ganges The River Ganges (Ganga in Indian languages) (Devanagiri गंगा) is a major river in northern India. ...

Notes

• ↑  Pak Tribune

External links

• BABA: Autobiography of a Blue Eyed Yogi
• BBC Kumbh Mela coverage
• Swami Pranavananda Ashram
• Kumbh Mela 2001
• A Guide to Sadhus, Holy Men of India

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