Page 51 - varanasi

The Sadhus of Varanasi....

The Sadhu (also known as yogi and sanyasi), is a Hindu ascetic
who has renounced caste, social position, money and authority,
and occupies a special place in Hindu society. As one who seeks
the Universal Soul in order to be absorbed in it, the Sadhu is set
apart from the orthodox priesthood as renunciation is considered
superior to the rituals of the priests.

The concept of the Sadhu traces its origin to the earliest images of
Shiva himself, with his matted hair and the body covered with ash.
A Sadhu does not have any caste and is free to attach himself to
any strata of the social structure. The Sadhu is credited with much
of the development of Indian culture, art, architecture, music, po-
etry and literature, influencing and forming the very world he has
abandoned with his endless travels from one sacred site to anoth-
er, singing songs and reciting poetry and carrying icons, paintings
and other sanctified objects.

The Sadhu usually wears on his forehead the three lines of the
god’s trident drawn in ash or sandalwood paste which may be ver-
tical or horizontal. Endless variations of these sectarian marks, de-
pending on the sect, are possible. They may decorate their bodies
with various lines and markings, cover the entire torso with ashes,
carry a metal trident and wear rosaries. The hair and the beard are
uncut and matted.

Shaivite Sadhus are followers of Shiva and are divided into various
sects. The Dasanami (monks with ten names) sect has about ten
branches scattered all over India. They each have an armed mili-
tant branch called the Nagas. They follow Tantrism and Shaktism,
eat meat, take stimulants and are often criticized for their erotic
practices. The Gorakhnath is wear large earrings. The Aghori Yogis
are notorious for their rites involving r e dead. The Lingayats centre
their worship on the linga as the symbol of Shiva.