Sannyaasa (was FORMAL... )

[Guest guest]

Namaste:

 

It seems that we all seem to feel uncomfortable with the

term "rituals" because have the presumption that rituals have no real

purpose. However, knowingly or unknowingly rituals have become an

integral part of most of significant human activities. In addition to

the religious rituals (every religion follows some rituals one way

or other) we have political rituals (inauguration of a new

government/officials) educational rituals (graduation ceremonies),

judicial rituals (those who attended court proceedings would know

what I mean), sport rituals and others. Though we prefer not call

them as rituals, some of these ceremonies are much more boring and

time consuming than the religious rituals!

 

Rituals do play a significant role in important endower and here are

the key reasons for their presence: (1) Rituals remind the

participants on the significance of the event and provide both

motivation and inspiration. (2) Elaborate ceremonies bring more

people to assemble and serve as witnesses forcing the participants

to respect all obligations (3) Initiation ceremonies consists of

both Videekam (spiritual significance) and Louhikam (cultural

significance).

 

The spiritual significance of rituals can only be understood and

accepted by those who have strong faith in the tantric powers of the

Vedic mantras on the appropriate occasions. Only with faith, we can

recognize the magical powers of 'Vedic Mantras.' When Vedic mantras

are recited with correct pronunciation, intonation, the participants

of the rituals become more spiritual and they get connected to the

divine. The Sanyasi who get initiated with appropriate ritual is

believed to invocate the Lord in his heart permanently.

 

Finally, we should also accept a Sanyasi who did not undergo with an

initiation ritual who exhibits 'unselfishness' and total detachment.

It is just like the fact, someone who did not undergo college

education can be more knowledgeable those with degrees from top

universities. But these are only exceptions and not the rule!

 

Warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

advaitin, praveen.r.bhat@e... wrote:

> Humble praNAm-s,

>

> (I've changed the subject line since we're no longer discussing the

earlier

> controversial question about Sannyaasa, but the actual process)

>

>

> Mani-ji wrote:

> ... one just wonders why there are so many rituals one has to

undergo before

> one "becomes" a Sanyasi.

>

[Guest guest]

Namaste.

 

I have this English translation of the first chapter of SanyAsa

Upanishad. Hope it answers some of the questions raised by Maniji:

 

QUOTE

 

1. Now we shall expound the Upanishad on renunciation. He who in due

order (of the stages of life) gives up (the primary inclinations such

as the desire for wealth, etc.,) becomes one who has renounced

(worldly life). What is this called renunciation ? How does one

renounce ? One who guards himself by the (following) activities, who

has (for his renunciation) the approval of mother, father, wife, sons

and kinsmen should assemble all the officiating priests known to him

and as before (with their approval) perform the Vaishvanara sacrifice

(for the welfare of all people). He shall (after partition) give away

all his wealth to the officiating priests. For the priests are the

singers (of the Vedic hymns, deserving the gift). The (five) vital

airs, Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana and Samana, shall be (symbolically)

placed in all the sacrificial vessels over the (five) sacred fires,

the ahavaniya, garhapatya, anvaharyapachana, sabhya and avasathya.

Shaving off his hair along with the tuft, snapping the sacred thread

and seeing his son, he shall consecrate (himself) with the

mantras `You are the god Brahma, you are the sacrifice, you are

everything'. If he has no son he should consecrate himself thus and

not minding (anything) proceed as a mendicant monk eastward or

northward.

 

He may receive alms from (people of the) four castes. He should eat

from the vessel of his hands. He shall consider food as medicine. He

should take food as medicine (i.e. in great moderation). He should

eat as and when he gets (food, without discontent and not asking for

more, like Oliver Twist) for bare sustenance and in such a way that

there is no increase of fat. Having grown lean he may shelter one

night in a village, five nights in a town; he may reside during the

four rainy months in a village or town. (Interpreting) fortnights as

months, he may reside (in a fixed abode) for two months. If he is

unable to endure (heat or cold) he may accept as gift a tattered

garment or bark dress. He shall not accept any other. For penance is

to suffer pain (with equanimity). What then is the sacred thread, the

tuft and the ceremonial sipping of water to one who thus renounces in

the prescribed manner and who thus views it (in the correct

perspective) ? To him (the questioner) is this reply. This is his

sacred thread (namely) that he meditates on the Atman; the (practice

of) Brahma-vidya is the tuft; that he quenches his thirst with the

vessel of his belly accomplishes (the ceremonial) duty with water

that is present everywhere. His residence is at the bank of (a

reservoir of) water. When the sun has set, how can he (ceremoniously)

sip water ? As (he touches water) during day, so at night; (for) he

has neither night nor day. (The enlightened ascetic is above the

restrictions of time). This has been said by the Vedic sage (in a

mantra): `To him there is (only) one (time), the day.' He who knows

thus realizes the Atman through this (renunciation).

 

UNQUOTE

 

PraNAms.

 

Madathil Nair