Instructions for those entering the Path of Purna-Sannyasi (a world-renouncing sadhu)
- Think carefully many times before becoming a sannyasi. Sannyasa is an exit from the mundane world for the sake of seeking infinite freedom in the Absolute.
- Having become a sannyasi, respect your choice, be worthy of it, and remain so always and everywhere throughout your life, no matter what.
- Look at the world as a great illusion, a dream, and a manifestation of consciousness.
- Do not touch upon disputes, squabbles, politics, trade, or anything that binds the people of this world. Touch nothing at all except Dharma and the Path of Liberation.
- Love all people, but do not create attachments; your status obliges and protects you.
- Make service to God, Dharma, the saints, and the sangha your primary occupation.
- Daily listen to and study the sacred scriptures of the holy sages of your lineage.
- Daily, without being lazy, diligently perform your outer and inner sadhana.
- Go to bed early, and rise early as well.
- Do not listen to the voice of this world, so that you may hear the voice of the saints and God.
- Shun worldly vanity.
- Reject entertainment, treasure contemplation.
- Do not seek fame or recognition from secular people, but do not try to act outrageously either.
- Keep your Path, sadhana, and everything related to them secret. Your Path concerns only you, God, the Guru, and your close guru-bhais. Respect the secrets of a sadhu. One who does not respect holy secrets betrays the very spirit of the Path.
- Study the methods of teaching and sadhana thoroughly and diligently to become a master yourself—a method personified.
- Respect every sadhu, without dividing them into who is higher or lower, who is holy and who is not.
- You are a sadhu, and this means you have no enemies, and all living beings are your friends.
- Do not ask for anything unnecessary from this world.
- Being the Absolute in spirit, be humble on the outside.
- Inside be indestructible and like a diamond, and outside—like soft silk.
- Observe the principles of Dharma as explained by your Guru and taught by the scriptures.
- Always and everywhere, whenever there is an opportunity, preach Dharma; now this is your only duty toward people bound by karma.
- Preach only to those who show favor and respect toward Dharma and yourself as a sadhu. Avoid teaching and instructing those whose souls are too young:
- those dwelling in tamas or rajas;
- the malicious, angry, fierce;
- the proud, boastful, arrogant;
- the unbelieving, skeptical;
- lovers of arguments;
- atheist-materialists, meat-eaters.
- Joyfully serve God, Dharma, your Guru, and the holy sangha, sharing all its concerns. Without the spirit of seva, there can be no moksha.
- Never betray Dharma, do not retreat from it.
- Be sincerely devoted to your mula-guru and the lineage of saints.
- Revere the sangha.
- Respect your brothers and sisters in Dharma.
- Daily revere in your heart, praise, and glorify the gods and the saints of the Refuge Tree, serve their images on the altar of your heart, and make offerings to them.
- On special days, always perform sadhana or tapasya.
- Do not criticize any sadhu; this will protect you from the sin of aparadha.
- Keep the Refuge and samaya—the sacred bond that is more precious than gold.
- Seva, sadhana, svadhyaya, samadhi—this is the life of a sannyasi. The rest is none of your business.
- Love all, have compassion for all.
- See the blessing hand of God in everything.
- Look at the good and the bad as the play of the One.
- Look at the world with pure eyes, speak of it with pure words.
- Act in the spirit of purity, without dividing into pure and impure in your view.
- Do not boast of your powers.
- Do not be carried away by anything except God, sadhana, and Dharma.
- When trials come—do not whine, grumble, or whimper. Thank God for everything.
- Do not own many things. Even when possessing things, live unburdened by wealth. Only young or spiritually poor souls crave material wealth. A sadhu's wealth is in:
- wisdom;
- prana;
- siddhis;
- samadhi.
- Do not fall into thoughts of your sinfulness, but do not be conceited thinking you are already entirely holy. Consider yourself the light of the Absolute in your soul, but also look realistically at your karmas.
- Control the senses not only by will but also by awareness.
- Do not gossip. And if you cannot restrain yourself, then gossip only about others' merits, virtues, wisdom, and holiness.
- Live consciously, without acceptance or rejection.
- Instead of evaluations and judgments, abide in awareness.
- Bad is everything done unconsciously. What is performed consciously is always good. So be always conscious!
- Accustom yourself to always acting with the blessing of the saints or wise sadhus, and if they are not near, turn to them for blessings in your heart.
- Sadhana should become your spouse, faith and devotion—your mother, and holy Dharma—your Father. Then the wonderful child of Liberation will be born.
- Do not forget God. Always be in God. Abide in the remembrance of God. Do not be distracted by the worldly—is that why you became a sannyasi? Train the mind to be immersed in God even amidst noise and clamor. Realize yourself as one with God.
- Sannyasa is bliss and happiness in God without any other reasons. Do not look for reasons to be happy in God. You are a sannyasi, and that is enough for happiness.
Swami Vishnudevananda Giri (upadesha instructions) Sannyasa-upadesha
