DASANAMA SANNYASINS

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

DASANAMA SANNYASINS
Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanat-Kumara and Sanat-Sujata were the four mind-born sons of Lord
Brahma. They refused to enter the Pravritti Marga or worldly life and entered the Nivritti Marga or
the path of renunciation. The four Kumaras were the pioneers in the path of Sannyasa. Sri
Dattatreya also is among the original Sannyasins. The Sannyasins of the present day all descendants
of the four Kumaras, Dattatreya and Sankaracharya.
Sri Sankaracharya, regarded as an Avatara of Lord Siva and the eminent exponent of Kevala
Advaita philosophy, established four Mutts—one at Sringeri, another at Dvaraka, a third at Puri and
a fourth at Joshi-Mutt in the Himalayas, on the way to the Badarinarayana shrine.
Sri Sankara had four Sannyasin disciples, viz., Suresvara, Padmapada, Hastamalaka and
Totaka. Suresvara was in charge of Sringeri Mutt, Padmapada was in charge of Puri Mutt,
Hastamalaka was in charge of Dvaraka Mutt and Totaka was in charge of Joshi-Mutt.
The Sannyasins of Sringeri Mutt, the spiritual descendants of Sri Sankara and
Suresvaracharya, have three names, viz., Sarasvati, Puri and Bharati. The Sannyasins of the
Dvaraka Mutt have two names, viz., Tirtha and Asrama. The Sannyasins of the Puri Mutt have two
names, viz., Vana and Aranya. The Sannyasins of the Joshi-Mutt have three names, viz., Giri,
Parvata and Sagara.
The Dasanamis worship Lord Siva or Lord Vishnu, and meditate on Nirguna Brahman. The
Dandi Sannyasins, who hold staff in their hands, belong to the order of Sri Sankara. Paramahamsa
Sannyasins do not hold staff. They freely move about as itinerant monks. Avadhutas are naked
Sannyasins. They do not keep any property with them.

The Sannyasins of the Ramakrishna Mission belong to the order of Sri Sankara. They have
the name Puri.
Then, there are Akhada Sannyasins, viz., Niranjani Akhada and Jhuna Akhada. They
belong to the order of Sri Sankara. They are Dasanamis. They are found in the Uttar Pradesh State
only.
Rishikesh and Haridwar are colonies for Sannyasins. Varanasi also is among the chief
abodes of Sannyasins.