On 24 February 2023, the auspicious day of Panchmi, in the month of Shukla Phalguna, a devoted karma yogi, Anand Puri, undertook sannyas diksha on the holy ground of the Om Ashram in Jadan, Rajasthan.
Anand Puri was born in 1950 in Prague, Czech Republic, and has been a devoted disciple of Vishwaguru Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda Ji since 1975. On this auspicious occasion, Vishwaguruji fulfilled his long-desired wish to become a monk, so he is now known as Swami Anand Puri.
Pandits performing the initiation ceremony.
After initiation.
With Vishwaguruji and Swami Avatar Puriji
Sannyas Diksha is a sacred ceremony in Sanathan Dharma (Hinduism) that marks the initiation of a person into the monastic order. The word "sannyas" means renunciation, and "diksha" means initiation. It is a significant milestone in a person's spiritual journey, marking the beginning of their path toward renunciation and detachment from worldly pleasures.
The ceremony of sannyas diksha is typically performed by a guru or a spiritual teacher, who is considered the guiding force in the life of the person seeking initiation. The guru gives the initiate a new name, marking the start of a new chapter in their life. The initiate is also given a saffron robe, a symbol of renunciation, and sometimes a begging bowl, which represents the acceptance of a simple, ascetic lifestyle.
The process of sannyas diksha involves various rituals and ceremonies that are steeped in symbolism and meaning. The initiate is required to take a vow of celibacy, which signifies the renunciation of all worldly desires and attachments. The vow of celibacy is considered a significant step in the journey towards spiritual enlightenment, as it helps the initiate to overcome their attachment to the pleasures of the body.
Another important aspect of sannyas diksha is the renunciation of all material possessions. The initiate voluntarily surrenders all their belongings, including their clothes, jewelry, and money. This act of surrendering everything is considered a symbolic gesture of giving up attachment to material possessions and living a life of simplicity and detachment.
The purpose of sannyas diksha is to help the initiate achieve spiritual liberation or moksha. It is believed that by renouncing all worldly desires and attachments, one can attain spiritual enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Sannyas diksha is not meant for everyone, and only those who are truly committed to the path of renunciation and detachment are considered suitable candidates for initiation.
Sannyas diksha is a profound and life-changing experience, one that requires a deep level of commitment, dedication, and spiritual discipline.
Swami Anand Puri giving his first lecture.
