Dashanami Sampradaya
Encyclopedia
Dashanami Sampradaya is a Hindu
monastic tradition of Ekadandisannyasins (wandering renunciates carrying a single staff)[1][5][7] generally associated with the Advaita Vedanta
tradition. They are distinct in their practices from the Shaiva
Tridandisannyasins or "trident
renunciates" and from Vaishnava
sannyasins.[6] The Tridandisannyasins continue to wear the sacred thread after renunciation, while Ekadandisannyasins do not.
The Ekadandi vedantins aim for moksha
as the existence of the self in its natural condition indicated by the destruction of all its specific qualities [2]. Any Hindu, irrespective of class, caste, age or gender can seek sannyasa as an Ekadandi monk under the Dashanami tradition.
The Ekadandis or Dasanamis had established monasteries in India
and Nepal in ancient times.[3] After the decline of Buddhism, a section of the Ekadandis were organized by Adi Shankara
in the 8th century in India
to be associated with four maṭha
s to provide a base for the growth of Hinduism. However, the association of the Dasanamis with the Shankara maṭhas remained nominal.[11]
However, the Ekadandis existed in the Tamil country in the Pandya and Pallava
period but being wandering monks, they were not settled in the brahmadeyas or settlement areas for brahmins. The book Heritage of the Tamils: temple arts (pg 154) by Shanmuga Velayutham Subramanian informs us of the existence of tax free bhiksha-bogams for feeding the Ekadandi ascetics in the ancient Tamil country. Another book The Pandyan Townships : The Pandyan townships, their organisation and functioning by R. Tirumalai, informs us that "there appears to have been no sectarian segregation of the Saivite (Ekadandi) and Srivaishnava
(Tridandi Sanyasins)".
According to the book Socio-religious, economic literary condition of Bihar by Bhagwati Charan Verma, Ekadandis and Tridandis were active in Eastern India, and appear to have existed there during the Gupta Empire
.
was to organize a section of the Ekadandi monks under an umbrella grouping of ten names [9], to provide an organized base for the growth of hinduism. Several other Hindu monastic and Ekadandi traditions remained outside the organization of the Dasanamis [13][14][15].
Sri Adi Shankara organized the Hindu monks of these ten sects or names under four mutts with the headquarters at Dwaraka in the West, Jagannatha Puri in the East, Sringeri in the South and Badrikashrama in the North [10]. These also became the four sacred dhaams or holy places of the Hindus. Sri Adi Shankaracharya also enumerated some details of the ten orders of Hindu monks, grouped under these heads, for their external identity. For example, Monks of the Giri sampradaya wear yellow robes while those of the Saraswati order wear Orange robes.
However, monks of these ten orders differ in part in their beliefs and practices, and a section of them is not considered to be restricted to specific changes made by Sri Adi Shankara. While the dasanamis associated with the Shankara mutts follow the procedures enumerated by Sri Adi Shankara, some of these orders remained partly or fully independent in their belief and practices; and outside the official control of the Shankara mutts.
The association of the dasanamis with the Smartha tradition or Advaitha vedanta is also doubtful. One example is the Kriya Yoga tradition that considers itself eclectic (see: Eclecticism
), with ancient [18] unchangeable beliefs, and outside the ambit of differences in the understanding of Vedanta
. Other examples are the tantric avadhuta sampradayas and ekadandi sanyasa traditions outside the control of the Shankara mutts [16]. The dasanamis / ekadandis also founded, and continue to found or affiliate themselves with mutts, ashrams and temples outside the control of the Shankara mutts [17][21].
In North India
, the Ekadandi monks have been organizing themselves into yoga akhadas, generally known as . In the 16th century, Madhusudana Saraswati organised a section of the Naga
tradition of armed sanyasis in order to protect Hindus from the tyranny of the Mughal
rulers. These are also called Gusain, Gussain, Gosain, Gossain, Gosine, Gosavi, Sanyasi, Dasnami or Goswami in popular parlance. Some examples of akhadas currently are the Shri Panchadashanam Juna Akhada of the Dashanami nagas, Shri Panchayati Mahanirwani Akhada, Shri Taponidhi Niranjani Akhada, Shri Taponidhi Anand Akhada, Shri Panchayati Atal Akhada, Shri Panchadashnam Awahan Akhada, Shri Pancha Agni Akhada and Shri Panchayati Akhada at Allahabad [22]. Each akhada is divided into sub-branches and traditions. An example is the Datt Akhada of the naked sadhus of Juna Naga establishment[23].
The Naga sadhus generally remain in the ambit of non-violence presently, though some sections are also known to practice the sport of wrestling
. The Dashanami sannyasins are strongly oriented to ahimsa (non-violence)[8] and practice the vedic and yogic yama principles of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha (non-covetousness) and Brahmacharya (celibacy / moderation). The dasanamis are generally believed to be celibate, and grihastas or householder sanyasis such as Lahiri Mahasaya
were a rarity.
in the Ekadandi tradition take up one of the ten names associated with this sampradaya
.
Saraswati, Puri and Bharati are associated with the Sringeri Sharada Peetham
. Tirtha and Ashrama are associated with the Dvaraka Pitha. Giri, Parvata and Sagara are associated with Jyotirmath
. Vana and Aranya are associated with the Govardhana matha
at Puri
[19][20].
However, it is to be noted that the association of the Ekadandis with the above matha
s is only nominal. One of the reasons for this is the understanding of varna as fixed by birth by the Shankara mathas, while the Dasanamis continue to allow anyone seeking sannyasa into their fold irrespective of caste or gender. An example is the Kriya Yoga tradition that admits anyone irrespective of caste, creed, sex and religion [12].
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
monastic tradition of Ekadandisannyasins (wandering renunciates carrying a single staff)[1][5][7] generally associated with the Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
tradition. They are distinct in their practices from the Shaiva
Shaivism
Shaivism is one of the four major sects of Hinduism, the others being Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Smartism. Followers of Shaivism, called "Shaivas," and also "Saivas" or "Saivites," revere Shiva as the Supreme Being. Shaivas believe that Shiva is All and in all, the creator, preserver, destroyer,...
Tridandisannyasins or "trident
Trident
A trident , also called a trishul or leister or gig, is a three-pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and was also a military weapon. Tridents are featured widely in mythical, historical and modern culture. The major Hindu god, Shiva the Destroyer and the sea god Poseidon or Neptune are...
renunciates" and from Vaishnava
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
sannyasins.[6] The Tridandisannyasins continue to wear the sacred thread after renunciation, while Ekadandisannyasins do not.
The Ekadandi vedantins aim for moksha
Moksha
Within Indian religions, moksha or mukti , literally "release" , is the liberation from samsara and the concomitant suffering involved in being subject to the cycle of repeated death and reincarnation or rebirth.-Origins:It is highly probable that the concept of moksha was first developed in...
as the existence of the self in its natural condition indicated by the destruction of all its specific qualities [2]. Any Hindu, irrespective of class, caste, age or gender can seek sannyasa as an Ekadandi monk under the Dashanami tradition.
The Ekadandis or Dasanamis had established monasteries in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Nepal in ancient times.[3] After the decline of Buddhism, a section of the Ekadandis were organized by Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (IAST: pronounced , (Sanskrit: , ) (788 CE - 820 CE), also known as ' and ' was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of advaita vedānta...
in the 8th century in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to be associated with four maṭha
Matha
A matha ) is a term for monastic and similar religious establishments of Hinduism and Jainism. A matha is usually more formal, hierarchical, and rule-based than an ashram.-Advaita Mathas:...
s to provide a base for the growth of Hinduism. However, the association of the Dasanamis with the Shankara maṭhas remained nominal.[11]
Early period
Monasticism and wandering renunciates of several traditions have been in existence since the vedic period [4]. The Encyclopaedia of the Śaivism by Swami Parmeshwaranand (pg 82) states: "Farquhar informs us that both these expressions, 'Ekadandi' and 'Tridandi' occur in the Mahabharata. We have not been able to trace the former of these".However, the Ekadandis existed in the Tamil country in the Pandya and Pallava
Pallava
The Pallava dynasty was a Tamil dynasty which ruled the northern Tamil Nadu region and the southern Andhra Pradesh region with their capital at Kanchipuram...
period but being wandering monks, they were not settled in the brahmadeyas or settlement areas for brahmins. The book Heritage of the Tamils: temple arts (pg 154) by Shanmuga Velayutham Subramanian informs us of the existence of tax free bhiksha-bogams for feeding the Ekadandi ascetics in the ancient Tamil country. Another book The Pandyan Townships : The Pandyan townships, their organisation and functioning by R. Tirumalai, informs us that "there appears to have been no sectarian segregation of the Saivite (Ekadandi) and Srivaishnava
Srivaishnava
Sri Vaishnava is a universal term among Hindus for worshippers of Vishnu. They are not limited to any part of India. Over its long history, Sri Vaishnavism has influenced nearly every aspect of Indian religious life.- Overview :...
(Tridandi Sanyasins)".
According to the book Socio-religious, economic literary condition of Bihar by Bhagwati Charan Verma, Ekadandis and Tridandis were active in Eastern India, and appear to have existed there during the Gupta Empire
Gupta Empire
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire which existed approximately from 320 to 550 CE and covered much of the Indian Subcontinent. Founded by Maharaja Sri-Gupta, the dynasty was the model of a classical civilization. The peace and prosperity created under leadership of Guptas enabled the...
.
Later Organization
Widespread buddhism saw a decline in the number of Hindu monks in India. With the decline of Buddhism, there was no organised structure that could provide an impetus for the resurgence of the vedic dharma. One of the major achievements of Sri Adi shankaraAdi Shankara
Adi Shankara Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (IAST: pronounced , (Sanskrit: , ) (788 CE - 820 CE), also known as ' and ' was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of advaita vedānta...
was to organize a section of the Ekadandi monks under an umbrella grouping of ten names [9], to provide an organized base for the growth of hinduism. Several other Hindu monastic and Ekadandi traditions remained outside the organization of the Dasanamis [13][14][15].
Sri Adi Shankara organized the Hindu monks of these ten sects or names under four mutts with the headquarters at Dwaraka in the West, Jagannatha Puri in the East, Sringeri in the South and Badrikashrama in the North [10]. These also became the four sacred dhaams or holy places of the Hindus. Sri Adi Shankaracharya also enumerated some details of the ten orders of Hindu monks, grouped under these heads, for their external identity. For example, Monks of the Giri sampradaya wear yellow robes while those of the Saraswati order wear Orange robes.
However, monks of these ten orders differ in part in their beliefs and practices, and a section of them is not considered to be restricted to specific changes made by Sri Adi Shankara. While the dasanamis associated with the Shankara mutts follow the procedures enumerated by Sri Adi Shankara, some of these orders remained partly or fully independent in their belief and practices; and outside the official control of the Shankara mutts.
The association of the dasanamis with the Smartha tradition or Advaitha vedanta is also doubtful. One example is the Kriya Yoga tradition that considers itself eclectic (see: Eclecticism
Eclecticism
Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold rigidly to a single paradigm or set of assumptions, but instead draws upon multiple theories, styles, or ideas to gain complementary insights into a subject, or applies different theories in particular cases.It can sometimes seem inelegant or...
), with ancient [18] unchangeable beliefs, and outside the ambit of differences in the understanding of Vedanta
Vedanta
Vedānta was originally a word used in Hindu philosophy as a synonym for that part of the Veda texts known also as the Upanishads. The name is a morphophonological form of Veda-anta = "Veda-end" = "the appendix to the Vedic hymns." It is also speculated that "Vedānta" means "the purpose or goal...
. Other examples are the tantric avadhuta sampradayas and ekadandi sanyasa traditions outside the control of the Shankara mutts [16]. The dasanamis / ekadandis also founded, and continue to found or affiliate themselves with mutts, ashrams and temples outside the control of the Shankara mutts [17][21].
In North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
, the Ekadandi monks have been organizing themselves into yoga akhadas, generally known as . In the 16th century, Madhusudana Saraswati organised a section of the Naga
Naga people
The term Naga people refers to a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland...
tradition of armed sanyasis in order to protect Hindus from the tyranny of the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
rulers. These are also called Gusain, Gussain, Gosain, Gossain, Gosine, Gosavi, Sanyasi, Dasnami or Goswami in popular parlance. Some examples of akhadas currently are the Shri Panchadashanam Juna Akhada of the Dashanami nagas, Shri Panchayati Mahanirwani Akhada, Shri Taponidhi Niranjani Akhada, Shri Taponidhi Anand Akhada, Shri Panchayati Atal Akhada, Shri Panchadashnam Awahan Akhada, Shri Pancha Agni Akhada and Shri Panchayati Akhada at Allahabad [22]. Each akhada is divided into sub-branches and traditions. An example is the Datt Akhada of the naked sadhus of Juna Naga establishment[23].
The Naga sadhus generally remain in the ambit of non-violence presently, though some sections are also known to practice the sport of wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
. The Dashanami sannyasins are strongly oriented to ahimsa (non-violence)[8] and practice the vedic and yogic yama principles of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha (non-covetousness) and Brahmacharya (celibacy / moderation). The dasanamis are generally believed to be celibate, and grihastas or householder sanyasis such as Lahiri Mahasaya
Lahiri Mahasaya
Shyama Charan Lahiri , , best known as Lahiri Mahasaya, was an Indian yogi and a disciple of Mahavatar Babaji. He was also popularly known as Yogiraj and Kashi Baba. He revived the yogic science of Kriya Yoga when he learned it from Mahavatar Babaji in 1861...
were a rarity.
Ten Names
Hindus who take up sannyasaSannyasa
Sannyasa is the order of life of the renouncer within the Hindu scheme of āśramas, or life stages. It is considered the topmost and final stage of the ashram systems and is traditionally taken by men or women at or beyond the age of fifty years old or by young monks who wish to renounce worldly...
in the Ekadandi tradition take up one of the ten names associated with this sampradaya
Sampradaya
In Hinduism, a sampradaya can be translated as ‘tradition’ or a ‘religious system’, although the word commands much more respect and power in the Indian context than its translations in English does...
.
- Saraswati
- Tirtha
- Aranya
- Bharati
- Ashrama
- Giri: The Kriya YogaKriya YogaKriya Yoga finds mention in the ancient spiritual texts of Patanjali Yogasutras "Tapah svadhyayeshvara pranidhani kriyayogah" . It was later revived by Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri in the 19th century. Subsequently Paramhansa Yogananda in his Autobiography of a Yogi reported the same for his...
tradition comes under the Giri order. - Parvata
- Sagara
- Vana
- Puri
Saraswati, Puri and Bharati are associated with the Sringeri Sharada Peetham
Sringeri Sharada Peetham
Sringeri Sharada Peetham is the southern Advaita Vedanta matha. It is located in Shringeri. It is claimed that it is the first of the four original mathas established by Adi Shankara.-Location:...
. Tirtha and Ashrama are associated with the Dvaraka Pitha. Giri, Parvata and Sagara are associated with Jyotirmath
Jyotirmath
Jyotirmath , also called Jyotir Math and Joshimath , is a city and a municipal board in Chamoli District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is home to one of the four cardinal pīthas established by Adi Shankara.-Demographics:...
. Vana and Aranya are associated with the Govardhana matha
Govardhana matha
The Govardhana matha is located in the city of Puri in Orissa state , and is associated with the Jagannath temple. It is one of those four cardinal mathas said to have been founded by Adi Shankara, and is the eastern matha. As per the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, it is in charge of the Rig...
at Puri
Puri
Puri is district headquarter, a city situated about south of state capital Bhubaneswar, on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal in the Indian state of Orissa. It is also known as Jagannath Puri after the Jagannath Temple . It is a holy city of the Hindus as a part of the Char Dham pilgrimages...
[19][20].
However, it is to be noted that the association of the Ekadandis with the above matha
Matha
A matha ) is a term for monastic and similar religious establishments of Hinduism and Jainism. A matha is usually more formal, hierarchical, and rule-based than an ashram.-Advaita Mathas:...
s is only nominal. One of the reasons for this is the understanding of varna as fixed by birth by the Shankara mathas, while the Dasanamis continue to allow anyone seeking sannyasa into their fold irrespective of caste or gender. An example is the Kriya Yoga tradition that admits anyone irrespective of caste, creed, sex and religion [12].
Prominent Dashanamis
- TulsidasTulsidasTulsidas , was a Hindu poet-saint, reformer and philosopher renowned for his devotion for the god Rama...
- Swami Dayanand Saraswati
- Swami Sahajanand SaraswatiSwami Sahajanand SaraswatiSwami Sahajanand Saraswati , born in a Jijhoutia Brahminfamily of Ghazipur of Uttar Pradesh state of India, was an ascetic of Dashnami Order of Adi Shankara Sampradaya as well as a nationalist and peasant leader of India...
- Agehananda BharatiAgehananda BharatiAgehananda Bharati was the monastic name of Leopold Fischer, professor of Anthropology at Syracuse University for over 30 years...
- Sita GussainSita GussainSita Gussain is a member of the India women's national field hockey team. She played with the team when it won the Gold at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.- References :**...
- Mahamandleshwar Shri Swami Vishveshwaranand Giri
See also
- SannyasaSannyasaSannyasa is the order of life of the renouncer within the Hindu scheme of āśramas, or life stages. It is considered the topmost and final stage of the ashram systems and is traditionally taken by men or women at or beyond the age of fifty years old or by young monks who wish to renounce worldly...
- Adi ShankaraAdi ShankaraAdi Shankara Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (IAST: pronounced , (Sanskrit: , ) (788 CE - 820 CE), also known as ' and ' was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of advaita vedānta...
- Swami Sahajanand SaraswatiSwami Sahajanand SaraswatiSwami Sahajanand Saraswati , born in a Jijhoutia Brahminfamily of Ghazipur of Uttar Pradesh state of India, was an ascetic of Dashnami Order of Adi Shankara Sampradaya as well as a nationalist and peasant leader of India...
- Advaita VedantaAdvaita VedantaAdvaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
- AkharaAkharaIn Hinduism, Akhara is an organization of the different sects of Sadhus Vairaghis yogis or Hindu Renunciates....