Sannyasi

Also spelled  sannyasin , Sanskrit  Sannyasin (“abandoning,” or “throwing down”)  in Hinduism, a religious ascetic, one who has renounced the world, having achieved the fourth ashrama, or stage, of life. The name sannyasi also specifically designates an ascetic who pays particular allegiance to the god Siva, who is sometimes known as “the great ascetic.” The Saiva ascetics were organized in the 8th century AD by the renowned Hindu teacher Sankara into 10 orders,