GREETINGS

Swamiji:

A lot of people have misunderstood Sanyasam. It is not a change in the color of your clothes, but a change in the color of your thoughts and attitudes. “Samyak Nyasam” or negating everything, is Sanyasi. Meaning, he is one who has no attachment to anything or is equally attached to everything. There are no preferences, likes or dislikes. It is a very hard level to achieve and to live a life true to the principle, is even more difficult. Our tradition has seen a lot of great Sanyasinis and we have organizations like Brahmakumari’s for females only. So it is not a matter of male/female. That being said, to have an impartial mind or an attitude of universal love, you don’t need to be in a Sanyasi’s clothes. A lot of Grihastas have the right attitude and approach to life, as good as a Sanyasi. We know people like Janaka who were called “Rajarshi”. He was a king with the attitude of a Rishi. So, more important  than what you are, the approach to life is what marks a Sanyasi. Hari Om.