sanyasi

1 9.9

A Hindu person who gives up normal life to live simply for spiritual reasons

noun
/sʌnˈjɑːsi/

Indian

: sanyasi

While living as a sanyasi, he relied on the kindness of others for meals and shelter.

In the Hindu tradition, monks are known as Sanyasis.

Examples

A true sanyasi dedicates his life to spiritual practice and often travels to spread wisdom.
Right, she just came in her Sanyasi clothes.

Sita Sings the Blues (2008)
In reality, few men live long enough to become sanyasi, and those who do withdraw totally from life generally elect this course of action long before extreme old age (i.e., they renounce the world for a great variety of reasons during the two preceding stages).

Academic text (1991)
She chose to become a sanyasi after years of striving for material success and finding it unfulfilling.

Synonyms

sannyasin

vssanyasi

2 9.9

A Hindu who leaves home and money to live a simple spiritual life

focuses on seeking spiritual liberation and often living as a mendicant

sannyasi

vssanyasi

1 9.9

A person who leaves normal life to live simply and seek spiritual freedom

often includes living as a mendicant while seeking liberation

How Ascetic

sanyasi

Indian

1 9.9

monk

189 3.2

devotee

28 6.0

Surface Forms

sanyasi singular

sanyasis plural

Etymology

Sanyasi comes from the Sanskrit sannyasin and the root sannyasa, which mean 'one who gives up' and 'renunciation'. Think of someone who leaves home, money, and family to live simply and seek spiritual freedom, which is why a sanyasi today is a religious person who has renounced worldly life and often lives on gifts from others.