RISHI,MUNI,SADHU,GURU SADHAK,SANNYASI,YOGI

 

RISHI,MUNI,SADHU,GURU SADHAK,SANNYASI,YOGI

SARASIJ MAJUMDUR

In our country, all the persons listed above are not generally differentiated much, by us. Writers also, somewhat loosely used the nomenclatures in their writings.

Though they have many commonalities, each one  of them is different, in their PRACTICE,  PURPOSE OF LIFE, AND LEADING  THE LIFE.  We will discuss about them, with the basic differences, in short.

The one thing common about them is- that all of them are ‘Spiritual Persons’, and carry the higher form of ‘Sanatan Dharma’, or ‘Hinduism’—as we may understand easily.

1.0  RISHI: He is connected to, and composer of  VEDA, Vedanga, Vedanta--or Knowledge. There are a few higher stratas as well e.g. MAHARSHI (KANWA), RAJARSHI (King Janaka), DEBARSHI (NARODA),  ‘SHRUTORSHI’—who learned, and remember VEDAS by hearing, e.g. Vasishta; or only ‘Rishi’-e.g. Gautama.  There are 18 ‘VEDABYASAS’—and all are ‘MAHARSHIS’.

2.0  MUNI—They observe ‘SILENCE’ during their process of self-realization—and do their intent internal  searching called ‘TAPASYA’.  The  Sanskrit word ‘Mauno’  led to defining them as ‘MOUNI’, which became ‘Muni’. Normally they practice ‘Tapasya’ in an isolated, or  deserted place. Muni may get elevated to the status of ‘RISHI’, subsequently, based on his higher understanding, and realization. Siddhartha is called ‘Shakya Muni’. There are MUNIs, and MAHA-MUNIs.

3.0  GURU: The Teacher. Dronachariya, Kripachariya—were examples. They taught ‘Shastra,  and Shastra’-- both. The teacher could teach in their residents known  ‘ASHRAMAS’—or staying  at the palace of a ‘KING’—teaching the prince, Princes, and sons of ‘Noble Persons’. Commoners used to go to ‘ASHRAMAS’.

4.0  SANNYASI: He who deserted the ‘Garhasthya Ashram’—and taken ‘Sannyas’—for search of higher meaning of life, Knowledge, and/or GOD. To take Sannyas—you need a RISHI, MUNI, or SADHAK as a  ‘GURU’, and you have to take ‘DIKSHA’ under him. Then  a Sannyasi practices, and performs ‘SADHONA’, to achieve something ‘SUPIRIOR’…and achieve a higher level of consciousness. Shri Shri Ramkrishna took Diksha under ‘Trailangaswami’ – and achieved  supreme most  level of consciousness, and became “PARAMHANSA”. He later became a ‘Maha Sadhak’. GOURANGA NIMAI also took Sannyas. He was the pioneer of ‘Bhakti Cult’ in Bengal, and may be in INDIA.

5.0  SADHAK:-- When a Sannyasi, after taking Diksha, and through Sadhona achieves a higher strata of ‘CONSCIOUSNESS’—he is called SADHAK. The example is ‘Sadhak Bamakhyapa’.

6.0  YOGI:-- A yogi is a person who practices yoga, a physical and mental discipline that involves meditation and body postures. The term can also refer to someone who adheres to Yoga philosophy or is a mystical or reflective person. In Classical Sanskrit, the term yogi is masculine, while yoginī is the term for a female practitioner.  The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’, which means "to unite," "to yoke," or "to join". The practice of yoga is said to lead to the union of individual consciousness with Universal Consciousness. The goal of yoga is self-realization, which can lead to a state of liberation or freedom.  There are Yogis, and Mahayogis.

7.0   SADHU: The Pali word 'SĀDHU' is derived from the Sanskrit root 'SĀDH' which means 'to accomplish', 'to succeed', or 'to be efficient'.The person who has renounced DOMESTIC LIFE, and was in search of GOD, and Salvation, and accomplished the same—he is called SADHU. A Sadhu, also can move towards ‘SADHAN MARG’, on the way to become  a ‘SADHAK’.

IMPORTANT:- All above persons should have  achieved tremendous self-control over six ‘RIPUS’, whoever is identified as one of the above. Also—there are some minor differences in the references listed below. I tried to keep it simple. You can easily refer the ‘LINK’ - (1)furnished below. It is based on ‘RAMCHARITMANAS’, which I read in original.  But please no comment shall be posted on the difference between  my Post—and the link(s) listed by me hereunder.  I know, and preferred more authentic one, in my opinion. However-queries are most welcome.

I will separately write about ‘BRAHMANA’. It deserves a separate space, and  BLOG.

Source:-

1.0  https://ramcharitmanas.info/rishi-muni-sadhu-sanyasi/

 

2.0  Bhttps://www.wisdomlib.org/

 

3.0  BALMIKI RAMAYANA, AND MAHABHARATA by BEDABYAS:-- the definitions are available in many places, in pieces. [ Refer to these versions only]

4.0  There are other Religious texts, and sources also where they are defined. ‘UPONISHADS’ are one of them.

5.0  Image:- Google