sadhu

1 9.9

A holy person who gives up normal life to live simply and seek spiritual goals

noun
/ˈsɑːduː/

: sadhu

Tamil women, shrouded in blankets, faced east chanting "Sadhu sadhu sa," calling out the Hindu name for an ascetic holy man, imploring the sun to appear.
sadhu baba

He's an ascetic, A renunciant, a proper sadhu.

Examples

As has already been noted, the Sadhu's goal is liberation, or Moksha (Organ 1980 chap. 5).

Academic text (2018)
There was a young sadhu who explained all about his pilgrimage to me.

Fiction book (1995)
Before the Sadhu sets out on the new path, he gives up all bonds with his past.

Academic text (2018)
So I bow and honor him who can do it, the Sadhu.

Academic text (2018)
The life of a genuine Sadhu is an open book.

Blog text (15)
One who wants to become a Sadhu must first find a Guru capable of guiding him along the way.

Academic text (2018)
Henceforth, the Sadhu sets out to achieve the goal of Moksha or liberation.

Academic text (2018)
A Sadhu must accept a number of severe limitations, beginning with total disconnectedness from his life as lived prior to renunciation.

Academic text (2018)
Pleased, I'm sure," he said, and then, before pausing either to introduce me or pay his respects to the Begum, he pointed to a wild-haired sadhu seated in the corner and praying over the yellowish flame of a dung fire.

Fiction book (1992)
A Sadhu dedicates his life to spiritual pursuits away from the distractions of society.

Synonyms

saddhu

vssadhu

Indian

9.9

A holy man who gives up ordinary life to live simply and pray

is an alternate spelling commonly used in some texts and writings

Surface Forms

sadhu singular

sadhus plural

Etymology

Sadhu comes from the Sanskrit root sadh-, which means 'to reach' or 'achieve', and from the Sanskrit word sadhu meaning 'good' or 'holy person'. So a sadhu is someone who gives up normal life to reach spiritual goals, which is why today the word means a holy man who often lives simply and away from ordinary comforts.