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An individual who has embraced Sannyasa is referred to as a sannyasi if male, or a sannyasini if female.
Answer: True
The terms 'sannyasi' and 'sannyasini' are the specific designations for male and female individuals, respectively, who have formally adopted the renunciate path of Sannyasa.
The primary purpose of Sannyasa is to increase engagement with worldly affairs and material possessions.
Answer: False
Conversely, the fundamental objective of Sannyasa is the renunciation of worldly affairs and material possessions to pursue spiritual liberation.
Sannyasa traditions are unique to Hinduism and have no parallels in other Indian religions like Jainism and Buddhism.
Answer: False
While Sannyasa is a distinct Hindu concept, similar traditions of renunciation and asceticism exist within Jainism (as Sadhu/Sadhvi) and Buddhism (as Bhikkhu/Bhikkhuni).
The Sanskrit word 'Sannyasa' literally means 'to continue worldly activities'.
Answer: False
The Sanskrit term 'Sannyasa' is etymologically derived to signify 'to put down everything, all of it,' or 'Purification of Everything,' rather than 'to continue worldly activities'.
Sannyasis are also referred to by synonyms such as Bhiksu, Yati, and Parivrajaka in Hindu texts.
Answer: True
Hindu scriptures employ various terms to denote renunciates, including Bhiksu, Yati, Sramana, and Parivrajaka, alongside Sannyasi.
What is the primary characteristic of Sannyasa as a form of asceticism?
Answer: Renunciation of material desires and detachment from worldly life.
The core tenet of Sannyasa is the renunciation of material desires and the cultivation of detachment from worldly life, enabling a focus on spiritual pursuits.
What is the literal etymological meaning of the Sanskrit word 'Sannyasa'?
Answer: "To put down everything, all of it"
The Sanskrit term 'Sannyasa' is etymologically derived to mean 'to put down everything, all of it,' signifying a complete renunciation.
Which of the following is a synonym for Sannyasi found in Hindu texts?
Answer: Yati
Yati is one of several synonyms, alongside Bhiksu and Parivrajaka, used in Hindu texts to refer to individuals who have undertaken Sannyasa.
What does the image of Adi Shankara by Raja Ravi Varma represent in the context of Sannyasa?
Answer: A significant figure in Advaita Vedanta and monastic tradition.
The depiction of Adi Shankara, a pivotal philosopher and monastic leader, by Raja Ravi Varma signifies his profound influence on Advaita Vedanta and the broader tradition of Sannyasa.
Within the Hindu framework of life stages, known as ashramas, Sannyasa is recognized as the fourth and final stage of existence.
Answer: True
Sannyasa constitutes the fourth and final stage within the Hindu system of four life stages, termed ashramas. It follows Brahmacharya (the stage of the celibate student), Grihastha (the householder stage), and Vanaprastha (the retired or forest-dweller stage).
The three stages preceding Sannyasa in the ashrama system are Brahmacharya (celibate student), Grihastha (householder), and Vanaprastha (retired individual).
Answer: True
The established sequence of the Hindu ashrama system comprises Brahmacharya (student life), Grihastha (householder life), Vanaprastha (retired life), and Sannyasa (renunciate life).
Ancient and medieval Hindu texts considered the Grihastha (householder) stage the least important sociologically.
Answer: False
Sociologically, the Grihastha (householder) stage was considered paramount in ancient and medieval Hindu texts, as it was responsible for societal continuity, resource generation, and procreation.
Which of the following is NOT a recognized stage preceding Sannyasa in the Hindu ashrama system?
Answer: Sannyama (self-control)
The stages preceding Sannyasa are Brahmacharya, Grihastha, and Vanaprastha. Sannyama, while a virtue, is not a distinct life stage in this sequence.
How did the Grihastha (householder) stage compare to other ashramas in terms of sociological importance in ancient Hindu texts?
Answer: It was considered the most important stage.
Sociologically, the Grihastha stage was deemed the most vital as it sustained society through procreation, resource production, and the continuation of lineage.
What is the significance of the Grihastha stage in the Ashrama system from a sociological perspective?
Answer: It was crucial for societal continuity by producing resources and offspring.
Sociologically, the Grihastha stage is vital for maintaining societal continuity through procreation, economic contribution, and the perpetuation of lineage.
What does the term 'Brahmacharya' signify within the Ashrama system?
Answer: The initial stage of disciplined study and celibacy.
Brahmacharya represents the first stage of the Ashrama system, characterized by disciplined learning and adherence to celibacy.
What does the term 'Vanaprastha' entail in the Hindu Ashrama system?
Answer: The stage of retirement, often involving withdrawal from worldly responsibilities.
Vanaprastha signifies the stage of retirement, characterized by a gradual withdrawal from societal responsibilities and a focus on spiritual reflection.
What does the term 'Grihastha' represent within the Hindu life stages?
Answer: The householder stage.
Grihastha denotes the householder stage, the second phase in the Ashrama system, involving family life and societal participation.
The term 'Sannyasa' was frequently used and central in the earliest layers of Vedic literature, such as the Samhitas.
Answer: False
Scholarly analysis indicates that the term 'Sannyasa' appears infrequently in the earliest Vedic texts (Samhitas, Aranyakas, Brahmanas) and gained prominence in later Upanishadic literature.
Scholars like Jamison and Witzel agree that early Vedic texts extensively describe the Ashrama system, including Sannyasa.
Answer: False
Scholars such as Jamison and Witzel contend that early Vedic texts do not extensively describe the Ashrama system or Sannyasa, suggesting their emergence occurred later in Vedic development.
The Ashrama system, including the concept of Sannyasa, likely emerged around the 7th century BC, with figures like Yajnavalkya adopting a renunciate lifestyle.
Answer: True
Scholarly consensus suggests that the Ashrama system, encompassing Sannyasa, began to coalesce around the 7th century BC, with prominent figures like Yajnavalkya exemplifying a renunciate existence.
The Baudhayana Dharmasutra outlines vows for Sannyasins including abstention from harming living beings and truthfulness.
Answer: True
The Baudhayana Dharmasutra enumerates significant vows for Sannyasins, such as abstaining from harming living beings, adhering to truthfulness, and practicing non-appropriation.
The Ashrama Upanishad categorizes renunciates based on the specific deities they worship.
Answer: False
The Ashrama Upanishad categorizes renunciates based on their spiritual goals and the realms they aspire to attain, rather than the deities they worship.
The Baudhayana Dharmasutra suggests that becoming an ascetic was only permissible after reaching the age of 70 and settling one's children.
Answer: False
While the Baudhayana Dharmasutra mentions renunciation after age 70 and settling children as a suitable path, it also permits renunciation under other conditions, such as immediately after Brahmacharya or by childless individuals.
The Jabala Upanishad suggests that only individuals from the Brahmin caste who experience detachment can renounce.
Answer: False
The Jabala Upanishad posits that any individual, irrespective of caste or gender, who experiences vairagya (detachment) is eligible to undertake Sannyasa.
According to Kautiliya's Arthashastra, the property of deceased ascetics would pass to their guru or disciples.
Answer: True
Kautiliya's Arthashastra stipulates that upon the death of an ascetic, their property would devolve to their guru, disciples, or monastic brethren.
The oldest Sannyasa Upanishads primarily exhibit a dualistic philosophical outlook.
Answer: False
The oldest Sannyasa Upanishads predominantly reflect an Advaita Vedanta (non-dualistic) philosophical perspective.
The Shatyayaniya Upanishad is an example of a Sannyasa Upanishad that presents a qualified dualistic philosophy.
Answer: True
The Shatyayaniya Upanishad is noted as an exception among Sannyasa Upanishads for presenting a qualified dualistic, rather than purely non-dualistic, philosophical stance.
The term 'Munis' in the Rig Veda signified individuals who were primarily involved in agricultural practices.
Answer: False
In the Rig Veda, 'Munis' referred to holy men engaged in spiritual pursuits and meditation, not individuals primarily involved in agriculture.
According to scholars like Jamison and Witzel, what is the status of Sannyasa and the Ashrama system in the earliest Vedic texts?
Answer: They are not mentioned at all.
Scholars Jamison and Witzel assert that Sannyasa and the Ashrama system are absent from the earliest Vedic texts, indicating their later emergence.
According to the Baudhayana Dharmasutra, what is a major vow for a Sannyasi?
Answer: Abstention from harming living beings
The Baudhayana Dharmasutra lists abstention from harming living beings (ahimsa) as a principal vow for Sannyasins.
Which Upanishad suggests that anyone, regardless of class or gender, can renounce if they experience detachment (vairagya)?
Answer: Jabala Upanishad
The Jabala Upanishad articulates that detachment (vairagya) is the primary criterion for renunciation, irrespective of caste or gender.
What does Kautiliya's Arthashastra specify regarding the property of deceased ascetics?
Answer: It passes to their guru, disciples, or monastic brothers.
Kautiliya's Arthashastra indicates that the property of deceased ascetics was to be inherited by their guru, disciples, or fellow monastic members.
What is the philosophical outlook generally associated with the oldest Sannyasa Upanishads?
Answer: Advaita Vedanta (Non-dualism)
The earliest Sannyasa Upanishads predominantly align with the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, emphasizing the principle of non-dualism.
Which of the following is an exception among Sannyasa Upanishads, presenting a qualified dualistic philosophy?
Answer: Shatyayaniya Upanishad
The Shatyayaniya Upanishad stands out among Sannyasa Upanishads for its presentation of a qualified dualistic philosophy, contrasting with the prevailing non-dualistic views.
What does the term 'Munis' in the Rig Veda signify?
Answer: Holy men engaged in spiritual pursuits
In the Rig Veda, 'Munis' denotes holy men characterized by their engagement in spiritual practices and contemplation.
The ultimate spiritual goal for a Hindu Sannyasin is typically considered to be moksha, or liberation.
Answer: True
Moksha, the state of ultimate liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is the principal spiritual objective pursued by individuals undertaking Sannyasa.
Sannyasa is viewed solely as a means to achieve spiritual liberation, not as an end in itself.
Answer: False
Sannyasa is understood as both a means to achieve spiritual liberation (moksha) and as an end in itself, fostering a state of liberated, content, and blissful existence.
Key virtues associated with Sannyasa include ahimsa (non-violence), akrodha (absence of anger), and aparigraha (non-acceptance of gifts).
Answer: True
Core virtues cultivated by Sannyasins encompass ahimsa (non-violence), akrodha (absence of anger), aparigraha (non-possessiveness), truthfulness, and self-restraint.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, a permanently liberated Sannyasin is one who hates others but desires spiritual knowledge.
Answer: False
The Bhagavad Gita defines a liberated Sannyasin not by hatred or desire, but by the absence of animosity and the transcendence of dualities.
Later Indian literature, like the Bhagavad Gita, proposed that liberation (moksha) could be achieved through paths other than traditional asceticism, such as Karma yoga.
Answer: True
Texts such as the Bhagavad Gita explored alternative pathways to moksha, including Karma yoga (the path of selfless action), suggesting liberation was attainable without strict adherence to traditional asceticism.
Karma yoga emphasizes performing actions with strong attachment to the results to ensure success.
Answer: False
Karma yoga advocates for performing actions with detachment from their outcomes, focusing on duty and skillful execution rather than personal gain or attachment to results.
What is the ultimate spiritual goal for a Hindu Sannyasin?
Answer: Moksha (liberation)
The principal spiritual aspiration for a Hindu Sannyasin is moksha, signifying liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Which virtue is NOT typically associated with the characteristics of a Sannyasin according to the source?
Answer: Lobha (greed)
Virtues such as ahimsa, akrodha, and aparigraha are central to the Sannyasin ideal; greed (lobha) is antithetical to this path.
The Bhagavad Gita defines a permanently liberated Sannyasin primarily by which characteristic?
Answer: Their freedom from hatred and desire
The Bhagavad Gita characterizes a liberated Sannyasin by their freedom from hatred, desire, and the experience of dualities.
Which path to spirituality emphasizes performing actions without attachment to the results, similar to the spirit of Sannyasa?
Answer: Karma yoga
Karma yoga, the path of selfless action performed without attachment to outcomes, embodies a spirit akin to that of Sannyasa.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four main paths to liberating spirituality mentioned in Hinduism?
Answer: Tantra yoga (path of ritualistic practices)
The primary paths to liberation are typically identified as Jnana yoga, Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, and Raja yoga. Tantra yoga, while significant, is not usually listed among these four core paths.
Individuals practicing Sannyasa typically possess numerous material possessions and maintain strong emotional attachments to their families.
Answer: False
A defining characteristic of Sannyasa is the renunciation of material possessions and the detachment from worldly ties, including strong emotional attachments to family.
Hinduism imposes strict, uniform requirements on the lifestyle and spiritual discipline for all Sannyasins.
Answer: False
Hinduism does not mandate uniform requirements for Sannyasins; rather, it allows for considerable diversity in their practices, spiritual disciplines, and chosen paths.
Individuals practicing Sannyasa forfeited all basic human rights, including protection from harm.
Answer: False
Even after renouncing worldly life, individuals practicing Sannyasa retained fundamental human rights, including the right to protection from harm and the freedom of movement.
Did individuals practicing Sannyasa retain basic human rights?
Answer: Yes, they retained rights like protection and freedom to travel.
Practitioners of Sannyasa retained fundamental human rights, including protection from harm and the liberty to travel, while remaining subject to general laws.
What does the term 'vairagya' mean in the context of renunciation?
Answer: Detachment or dispassion
Vairagya signifies detachment or dispassion, a crucial psychological state for individuals undertaking the path of renunciation.
Which of the following is listed as a symbolic item sometimes carried by certain types of Sannyasins, according to the Sannyasa Upanishad?
Answer: A triple staff
The Sannyasa Upanishad mentions items such as a triple staff as symbolic possessions for certain categories of renunciates.
What is the primary difference between anchorites and cenobites among Sannyasins?
Answer: Anchorites prefer solitude, cenobites live in communities.
Anchorites are renunciates who live in solitude, whereas cenobites are those who live and travel in communities, similar to monastic orders.
Following Muslim invasions from the 12th century onwards, some Hindu ascetic traditions transformed into military orders.
Answer: True
Historical accounts indicate that certain Hindu ascetic groups, particularly Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions, evolved into martial orders to contend with the socio-political changes following the 12th-century Muslim invasions.
Warrior ascetics, known as Nagas and Bairagis, played a role in Indian history during the Mughal and British periods.
Answer: True
Groups such as the Nagas and Bairagis, who were warrior ascetics, were historically significant during the Mughal and British colonial periods in India.
How did certain Hindu ascetic traditions evolve after the 12th century, particularly following Muslim invasions?
Answer: They transformed into military orders engaging in warfare.
In response to historical pressures from the 12th century onwards, some Hindu ascetic traditions developed into organized military orders, engaging in martial activities.
The Sannyasi rebellion (1763-1800) primarily involved:
Answer: Armed resistance by warrior ascetics against ruling powers.
The Sannyasi rebellion was characterized by armed resistance undertaken by warrior ascetics against the prevailing ruling authorities of the period.
How did some warrior ascetics function during the Mughal and British periods?
Answer: As a significant political and military force.
During the Mughal and British periods, warrior ascetics often functioned as a considerable political and military force, influencing regional dynamics.
What does the image caption 'Basawan. Battle of rival ascetics. Akbarnama, ca. 1590, V&A Museum' depict?
Answer: The Mughal Army attacking ascetics.
The artwork from the Akbarnama illustrates a conflict involving ascetics, specifically depicting the Mughal Army engaged in battle against them.