The Samnyasa Upanisads: Hindu Scriptures on Asceticism and RenunciationThe first readable and accurate translation of twenty of the most authoritative Hindu documents pertaining to ascetic ideals and the ascetic way of life, this text opens to students a major source for the study of the Hindu ascetical institutions and of the historical changes they underwent during a period of a thousand years or more. Beginning with an analysis of the historical context that gave rise to Indian ascetical institutions and ideologies, Patrick Olivelle moves on to elucidate the meaning of renunciation--the central institution of holiness in most Hindu traditions--and the function and significance of the various elements that constitute the rite of renunciation. The Samnyasa Upanisads will be an unparalleled source of information and insight for students of Hinduism and Indian eticism, mysticism, and holiness. |
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abandonment abides Advaita Advaita Vedānta almsfood ĀrU ascetic āśrama attains Avadhūtas Bahūdakas bathing BāU becomes begging bowl birth bliss body Brahmā Brahman Brāhmaṇical Brāhmaṇical theology breath called classes common era consciousness critical edition death deep sleep detachment dharma elements emblem external string five forest hermit four gods Hamsa highest householder immortality impure Indian karma knowledge KśU Kuṭīcakas liberation live loincloth Lord Mahābhārata mantra meaning meditation mendicant mind Nārada nouncer oblation offer Olivelle Paramahamsa path perform rites person Prajapati pure reciting refers regarding renouncer renouncer's renunciatory rite of renunciation ritual sacred fires sacrificial string Samkhya samsāra Sanskrit says scriptures secret teaching Śiva smṛtis Sprockhoff 1976 Śrauta supreme sūtra svāhā ŚvU syllable teacher term texts theology tion topknot tradition translation triple staff Upaniṣads Veda Vedānta Vedic verse village Viṣņu wander water pot wear wise worship Yogav yogin Ypra