What is Sanyāsa (Renunciation)?

Devotee: What is the real purpose of sannyasa (renunciation)?

Sri Ramana Maharishi: Sannyasa is only the renunciation of the ‘I’ thought, and not the rejection of the external objects. He who has renounced (the “I” thought) thus remains the same whether he is alone or in the midst of the extensive samsara (empirical world).

Just as when the mind is concentrated on some object, it does not observe other things even though they may be proximate, so also, although the sage may perform any number of empirical acts, in reality, he performs nothing because he makes the mind rest in the Self without letting the ‘I’ thought arise. Even as in a dream one appears to fall head downwards, while in reality one is unmoving, so also the ignorant person, i.e., the person for whom the ‘I’ thought has not ceased, although he remains alone in constant meditation, is in fact one who performs all empirical actions. Thus the wise ones have said.

Empirical action: Like those who listen to a story with their attention fixed elsewhere, the mind whose residual impressions have worn away does not really function even if it appears to do so. The mind that is not free from residual impressions really functions even if it does not appear to do so; this is like those who while remaining stationary imagine in their dreams that they climb up a hill and fall therefrom.

Note: Renunciation is not about going to the Himalayas or staying in forests or caves. Or it's not about moving into an ashram. It's about knowing that "I'm not the doer". And, my one and only purpose of existence is to know Who I AM and realize my true-

self.

All sanyāsins (renunciates) that we see are not realized. The one who trusts and has the conviction that "I'm not this body, I'm not this mind but I'm That ever-existing-Self, the Bliss" - is actually the true renunciate. Maybe, experientially realization has not happened, but this renunciate, who has the fire to KNOW will realize soon.

With sincere, continued and consistent silent meditative sitting, if the mind is calmed down, then where you live becomes irrelevant. Otherwise, wherever you go, the mind also goes and when you sit in silence, the mind will anyway wander. So, the first step is to become silent and restful with true Wisdom. For this, you must get rid of thoughts such as "I did it, it happened only because of me."

The one who goes beyond the "I'm the doer" ego is said to be the real renunciate.

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