If you are a travel mendicant with a flair on asceticism than you have picked the right book. Is this book about the recluse lifestyle and ethnographic lives of Hindu renouncer in India? Not exactly, but it covers a wide spectrum of solitary sages take on life. I found this book while fishing for ascetic Sadhvi (Women Hermit) but introduced to various Aghori (Post-Mortem Ritualist), Saiva Sadhus (Lord Shiva followers) and the ten Dasnami Akhar family (Community). As per its historical rendering the explanations on Kumbh Mela (pilgrimage) and the metaphorical topics invoke interest to explore the elixir of mortality. I cannot validate American Historian Wendy Doniger inputs on Hindu philosophy, but Hausner brought a subject which not many have attempted. The following statement is profound with hammering insights – “It is critically important to find the right kind of instruction and to surround ourselves with the right kind of people, in the right place and time”. Now, I am waiting for my turn to experience the immortal scion of the eternal soul.
vishnupria 
It would be interesting to spend some time with genuine sadhus but I do not believe that I would be able to tell the difference between the devout and the hypocrite 😦
Well, that’s why there is a need to follow authentic sadhus of reputed origin and lineage. 😌
Yes exactly. Due diligence needed 😉
I agree 🙂
🙂
Yeah. Very true. Authentic sadhus of reputed origin is most important.
An aspirant must also have basic knowledge to receive teachings from sadhus. The seeker should know what she or he is seeking and seeking from whom.
I have passed through different stages in life as well as many sadhus ( of many sects). Had different views. That is why I shared my views.
I visited Kumbha Mela twice. I have seen many things very closely.
Thank you Vishnupriya for sharing your views and reviews on the book.
Regards 😊🙏
Sir, there are some who without any quest end up receiving teachings from sadhus. I presume they have carried vasanas (karmic imprints) from previous birth cycles. That’s good to know of your visit to Kumbha Mela. I have only watched documentaries and read books now. I hope to visit some day.
You are right Vishnupriya.
My trips to Kumbha Mela was not planned trip. We have our training college there in Allahabad.
It is known as CIVIL AVIATION TRAINING COLLEGE, in Bamrouli , Allahabad. I got chance to my department training both the time .
That was my good luck,bi consider.
I took sahi snan too which comes once in 135 years.
I express my gratitude.
Namaste
I would like to share about definition of Dharma according to Purana. This Dharma must satisfy to the person in the path of Enlightenment.
I believe this must be followed by Sadhus too.
We have heard of “Dharm” but what actually is Dharm?
In Shrimadbhagavat Maha Puran, Sri Narad Muni answered King Yudhisthira as heard from Narayan ( वक्ष्ये सनातनं धर्मं नारायणमुखाच्छ्रुतम् )
These are the 30 “Dharm” which must be followed by every Human Being.
सत्यं दया तप: शौचं तितिक्षेक्षा शमो दम: ।
अहिंसा ब्रह्मचर्यं च त्याग: स्वाध्याय आर्जवम् ॥ ७.११.८
सन्तोष: समदृक्सेवा ग्राम्येहोपरम: शनै: ।
नृणां विपर्ययेहेक्षा मौनमात्मविमर्शनम् ॥ ७.११.९
अन्नाद्यादे: संविभागो भूतेभ्यश्च यथार्हत: ।
तेष्वात्मदेवताबुद्धि: सुतरां नृषु पाण्डव ॥ ७.११.१०
श्रवणं कीर्तनं चास्य स्मरणं महतां गते: ।
सेवेज्यावनतिर्दास्यं सख्यमात्मसमर्पणम् ॥ ७.११.११
नृणामयं परो धर्म: सर्वेषां समुदाहृत: ।
त्रिंशल्लक्षणवान् राजन्सर्वात्मा येन तुष्यति ॥ ७.११.१२
These are the general principles to be followed by all human beings:
1. Truthfulness,
2. Mercy,
3.Austerity (observing fasts on certain days of the month),
4. Bathing twice a day,
5. Tolerance,
6. Discrimination between right and wrong,
7. Control of the mind,
8. Control of the senses,
9. Nonviolence,
10. Celibacy,
11. Charity,
12. Reading of scripture,
13.Simplicity,
14.Satisfaction,
15. Rendering service to saintly persons,
16. Gradually taking leave of unnecessary engagements,
17. Observing the futility of the unnecessary activities of human society,
18. Remaining silent and grave and avoiding unnecessary talk, considering whether one is the body or the soul,
19. Distributing food equally to all living entities (both men and animals),
20. Seeing every soul (especially in the human form) as a part of the ParaBrahm,
21.Hearing about the activities and instructions given by the ParaBrahm (who is the shelter of the saintly persons),
22. Chanting about these activities and
instructions,
23. Always remembering these activities and
24. Instructions,
25. Trying to render service,
26. Performing worship,
27. Offering obeisances,
28. Becoming a servant,
29. Becoming a friend, and
30. Surrendering one’s whole self.
O King Yudhisthira, these thirty qualifications must be acquired in the human form of life. Simply by acquiring these qualifications, one can satisfy the ParaBrahm.
With best wishes 😊🙏
ARUN
Sir, you have shared a profound principle of the Dharma to be followed by every human being including the saints. A renunciate seeks through renunciation. For example, no donkey habitat is accused of unethical actions because its innate nature is to act as an animal. Similarly, humans are gifted with intellectual wisdom which must be channelled with the right knowledge and actions. And saintliness is a mixture of countless different things and not judgemental. Regards, 🙏
Thank you Vishnupriya for your reply which will create Dharma Chetana among human being.
This way we can follow the path of Dharm through practice as said.
Take care. Stay blessed always.
😊🙏
I have seen people from foreign countries including indian were busy in consuming marijuana type substance. I don’t know their depth of knowledge/ wisdom. But I have seen some Truth that cannot be written in public domain.
This is not criticism to any faith or practice.
However, I am away from the world of sadhus. I am a sansari jeeva. So not authorised to speak on sadhus.
My kind regards to all sadhus. Because the sadhu word has its own meaning, dignity.
🙏😊
Psychedelics are part of aghora culture and sadly some sadhus are under the influence of it. What is interesting is the community they belong to and the actions decide their standings.
Yeah Vishnupriya.
Their views are different. Aghor tantras. Don’t know.