Performing one's own funeral rites
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Sannyasa implies cutting off all personal ties to family,
business and social life. One no longer lives as an individual
but as an instrument of God. A Sannyasi accepts the whole
world as his family. He belongs to and is related to all living
beings.
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The Sannyasa ceremony therefore involves fasting and a series of
ritual steps which symbolise the cutting of all relations and the
final performance of all the obligatory duties of an individual.
These include giving up of the sacred thread which symbolises one's
status or role in society, offering food to the departed souls of
the ancestors for the last time and also performing one's own
'sradda' (funeral rites) ceremony thereby indicating
the death of the selfish individuality.
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The Sannyasis-to-be go to the sea shore in order to perform
the obligatory offering of food (to the ancestors) for the
last time.
They also conduct their own funeral rites and offer food
to themselves, thereby freeing the future generations from
this obligation of offering food to the departed souls of
these monks. The food offerings consist of balls of rice called
'pindam'.
After the ceremony, the pindams are respectfully placed in
the sea.
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Viraja Homa
After this, a Viraja homa is performed during which the monks take
up the formal vows of renunciation. Then the monks accept the ochre
robes, indicating Sannyasa, from the Guru. The Guru also confers
new names upon the monks. These names remind them of their goal
in life. In the Puri order of Sannyasis, the names of the Swamis
are suffixed with 'ananda' (bliss) and Puri. The names of swaminis
are suffixed with Prana (life breath).
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The next day before dawn the Viraja Homa is performed and
the Sannyasis-to-be recite mantras which reveal the aims
and the glory of Sannyasa.
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After the performance of the fire ceremony, the
monks meditate for some time. After the meditation, Amma gives
the monks the ochre robes signifying Sannyasa. The ochre colour
signifies the flame of renunciation which is to be kept kindled
in the hearts of the Sannyasis. |
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