The Hindu Sages – Rishi, Muni, Sadhu and Sanyasi
Rishis have been of great importance in India since ancient times. Rishis and Munis are considered to be the guide to the path of righteousness; they have always been doing the welfare of the people and the society with their knowledge and practice. Even today, there are rishis, munis, sadhus and sanyasis in the forests or at any pilgrimage places. They always refine their knowledge through penance, practice, and contemplation. They often renounce material pleasures, although some of them also live a household life.
Throughout the Ramcharitmanas and even generally in life, you will come across the terms Rishi, Muni, Sadhu, Sanyasi, Pandit, Purohit, Pujari, Acharya, Brahmin and Guru. It is important to understand these terms and the basic difference between them. Let’s start from the very beginning of time and creation.
As per the Hindu religion Lord Narayan is responsible for the creation of the cosmos. Infinite universes are formed and destroyed at all times by the will of Lord Narayan through his material energy, called Maya or Shakti or Jagdamba.
Each universe is presided over by the Trinity- Lord Brahma (the creator), Lord Vishnu (the preserver) and Lord Shiv (the destroyer). Lord Brahma has created many Rishis, Munis and the first human couple that are given the responsibility for creating human life on this Earth.
Welfare of the Society
Rishis, Munis, Sadhus or Sanyasis are all people devoted to religion, who constantly refine their knowledge for the welfare of society away from the bondage of worldly attachment and do penance, sadhna, meditation etc. to attain the supreme divine knowledge. They constantly pray to the Almighty for the establishment of Dharma, peace, prosperity, good health, happiness of all the beings not only on the Earth but also in all the other worlds.
What Should A Common Man Do In This Age of Kaliyug
In the age of Kaliyug, it is very hard for humans to undergo so much penance, austerity, performance of yagna etc. As per the Ramcharitmanas the only solution for people in Kaliyug is chanting the name of the Lord (Ram, Krishna, Hari, Narayan, Shiv etc.) The power of chanting of the Lord’s name is beautifully expressed in these chaupais from Shri Ramcharitmanas:
चहुँ जुग तीनि काल तिहुँ लोका। भए नाम जपि जीव बिसोका॥
बेद पुरान संत मत एहू। सकल सुकृत फल राम सनेहू॥1॥
In all the four eras (Satyug, Tretayug, Dwaparyug and Kaliyug), at all the three times (present, past and future) and in all the three worlds (Swarag Lok or heaven, Bhu Lok or earth and Patal Lok or the subterranean region), all the beings by chanting Lord’s name become free from their miseries. The firm belief of the Vedas, the Puranas and the saints is that the fruit of all auspiciousness comes from having unconditional love for Lord Ram’s name and form.
ध्यानु प्रथम जुग मख बिधि दूजें। द्वापर परितोषत प्रभु पूजें॥
कलि केवल मल मूल मलीना। पाप पयोनिधि जन मन मीना॥2॥
In the Satyug by simply meditating upon the Lord, in the Tretayug by doing various types of penances or yagyas, in Dwaparyug by just worshipping, the Lord can be fully satisfied. But only Kaliyug is the home of all the impurities and the minds of the people is compared to fish constantly swimming in an ocean of sins (thus it is very hard for people in Kaliyug to meditate, do penances or to worship properly).
नाम कामतरु काल कराला। सुमिरत समन सकल जग जाला॥
राम नाम कलि अभिमत दाता। हित परलोक लोक पितु माता॥3॥
In this dreadful Kaliyug, the name of the Lord is like the desire-fulfilling heavenly tree called Kalpavriksh. Just by meditating on the Name, all the material webs of life get destroyed. Ram’s name provides the devotee with everything his heart desires. The Lord’s name takes care of the devotee like mother and father in this world and it ensures the devotee’s well-being in His abode.
Rishis have been of great importance in India since ancient times. Rishis and Munis are considered to be the guide to the path of righteousness; they have always been doing the welfare of the people and the society with their knowledge and practice. Even today, there are rishis, munis, sadhus and sanyasis in the forests or at any pilgrimage places. They always refine their knowledge through penance, practice, and contemplation. They often renounce material pleasures, although some of them also live a household life.
Let us learn in this blog post the basic difference between Rishi, Muni, Sadhu, Sanyasi, Pandit, Purohit, Pujari, Acharya, Brahmin and Guru.
Rishi
India has always been a land of sages. The Rishi tradition has a special importance in our society. Even today our society and families are considered to be descendants of some Rishi.
Rishi is a term derived from the Vedic tradition used to refer to people who have mastered the Vedic texts. In other words, it can be said that such a person who studied the Vedic tradition on the strength of his unique concentration and saw unique words, knew their obscure or secret meanings and manifested that knowledge by writing only for the welfare of the living beings are called Rishis.
The Rishis are considered to be enlightened seers of the era. It is believed that by their yogic power, the knowledge of Parmatama (Supreme Soul) is available to them and they are able to see the material as well as the conscious world.
Types of Rishis
According to the famous Sanskrit synonyms dictionary compiled by Amarsimha, there are seven types of sages, Brahmarishi (they have attained the highest divine knowledge, infinite knowledge/omniscience and self-knowledge), Devarshi, Maharishi, Paramrishi, Kandarshi, Shrutarishi and Rajarshi.
The Sapt (Seven) Rishis
The Trinity have gifted great Rishis with their heavenly bodies over which these Rishi preside. The seven prominent stars in the sky also called Ursa Major or the Great Bear constellation is one such example. These heavenly bodies and their presiding Rishis are called Ketu, Pulah, Pulatsya, Atri, Angira, Vasistha and Bhrigu. Similarly, some other lists exist in which Kautsa, Gautam, Kashyapa, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni, Bhardwaj have also been included as Sapta Rishis.
Muni
Munis were also sages, but they lacked anger and hatred. In the Bhagavad Gita it is said about the sages whose mind is not disturbed by sorrow, who do not desire for happiness and who are free from attachment, fear and anger, such saints with unblemished intelligence are called Munis.
The word Muni is derived from Mauni which means one who does not speak or speaks silently. Such sages who took the oath of silence or spoke very little for a particular period were called Munis. In ancient times, silence has been considered as a sadhana or penance. Many sages used to do this sadhna and used to remain silent. The word Muni is used only for such sages. The word Muni has also been used for some such sages who always used to chant God and meditate on Lord Narayan like Narad Muni (he is considered a top devotee of Lord Narayan and he is created by Lord Brahma).
Munis have also been discussed in Jain texts. The person whose soul is stable by restraint, devoid of worldly desires, having a sense of protection for living beings, non-violence, truth, celibacy, language, purification of food and purification in handling of religious equipment.
Sadhu
A person doing sadhna (practice) of any subject is called a Sadhu. Sometimes the word sadhu is also used to differentiate between good and bad people. The reason for this is that a person doing positive spiritual practice is always simple, straightforward and does good deeds for the people. Sadh means straight and devoid of wickedness. The word Sadhu in Sanskrit means a gentleman. One of the meanings of Sadhu is also a person who has renounced his six vices: lust, anger, greed, false pride, ego and attachment.
Sanyasi
The word Sanyasi is derived from Sanyas which means to give up. Therefore, the one who renounces is called a Sanyasi. Sanyasi renounces property, household life or remains unmarried, renounces society and worldly life and becomes absorbed in devotion to his beloved God by practicing yoga meditation.
Adi Shankaracharya is considered a great Sanyasi in Hinduism. Paramhansa Sanyasis is the highest class of ascetics.
In fact, a Sanyasi can be a person who is not affected by any circumstance or person and remains stable in all circumstances. He gets neither pleasure from happiness or depression from sorrow. Thus the person without any bias who seeks both divine and self-knowledge and is detached from worldly attachment, is called a Sanyasi.
The Vedic way of life talks of four stages in life in which a person should move from youth to old age. Four Stages in Life are Brahmachari (youth), Grihasth (householder), Vanaprasth (detachment and increasing seclusion) and Sanyaas (ascetic). It is recommended that a person in his old age should become a Sanyasi. However, one can embrace sanyas at any age, and there are many instances of this.
Are there any other paths to practice Devotion?
There are two paths for devotion primarily: Bhakti marg (the path of pure devotion) and Gyan marg (the path of knowledge). While the path of pure devotion is simple, the path of knowledge is very difficult to pursue. Most of the sages like the Rishis and Munis take the route of Gyan marg, which is not cut out for everyone, especially for people like us in the present day and age.
Hence chanting of the Lord’s name regularly with full faith and devotion is recommended, for which we all can easily find time despite our busy schedules.
Difference Between Pujari, Pundit, Purohit, Brahmin, Guru and Acharya
These are the names of special positions in Hindu religion which have nothing to do with any particular caste. Let us now explore the meanings of the above words so that we are careful while using these terms.
Purohit
Purohit is made up of two words:- ‘Par’ and ‘Hita’, meaning a person who cares for the welfare of others. In ancient times, the head of the ashram where education was imparted, was called Purohit. They were also appointed in the royal court to look after the religious deeds. The main person who performs the Yagya and conducts all kinds of rites is also called a Purohit.
Pujari
The meaning of this word is related to worship and recitation. That is, the priest who recites and worships deities in the temple or any other place is called a Pujari.
Pundit
Pandah means wisdom. Being proficient in a particular knowledge is called punditry. In ancient India, one who was knew the Vedas, Shastras etc. was called a Pundit. This Pundit is also referred to as Pandaye, Pandey or Pandya. Nowadays this name has also become the surname of Brahmins. The Pundit’s wife is referred to as Punditaine.
Guru
Gu means darkness and Ru means light. So the person who takes you from darkness to light is a Guru. There is a huge difference between an academic teacher and a Guru who gives discourses on spirituality and religion. Every Guru is a saint, but it is not necessary for every saint to be a Guru. Only a few saints have the eligibility to become a Guru. The meaning of Guru is the guide of Brahmin knowledge.
Acharya
Acharya is one who has knowledge of Vedas and Shastras and who does the work of teaching students at the Gurukul. An Acharya is well versed in ethics, principles etc. and teaches others about it. He is also well versed in the rituals and performs the work of chief priest in yagyas. Nowadays, Acharya is also used for the principal officer and teacher of a college.
Brahmin
The word Brahmin is derived from Brahmin. One who does not worship anyone other than Brahm (God) is called a Brahmin.
In the Smriti Puranas, there is a description of 8 distinctions of Brahmins – Matra, Brahmin, Shrotriya, Anuchan, Bhroon, Rishikalpa, Rishi and Muni. Apart from this, the brahmins who have risen above the lineage, education and virtue are called ‘Trishukla’. The brahmin are also known as vipra and dvij (twice born) who have no relation with any caste or society.