Why do sannyasis sacrifice their lives and take samadhi instead of funeral pyre? When Dandiswami clashed with industrialists.

New Delhi: Time-5 December, 1920, place-Patna. A saint Sahajanand met Mahatma Gandhi at the house of freedom fighter Mazhar ul Haq. From here, influenced by the thoughts of Saint Gandhiji, he/she got involved in the national liberation movement. That Dandidahari saint is called the father of the farmers movement in India. Even in Mahakumbh 2025, the natural attraction of Dandi Sanyasis remains. This question keeps flashing in the minds of the devotees coming from India and abroad that who are the Dandi Sanyasis and why do they carry the stick with them and why do they keep protecting this stick even with their lives.

What is the meaning of Dandi Swami, know its meaning

According to senior journalist and writer Ramdhani Dwivedi, the word Dandi refers to the serpentine path made in the forest. Therefore, the person who always walks on foot or is a traveler is the owner of the stick. The term Swami is used for religious gurus as well as yogis. Swami means spiritual teacher or guru. Dandi Swami is a monk who holds a stick. They are adept at understanding and explaining the esoteric elements of religion. The great tradition of Shankaracharyas in the country has emerged from them. Shankaracharya is selected from among the Dandi Sanyasis. They get this punishment after taking initiation from their Guru.

How to become a Dandi Swami, know the rules

According to Ramdhani Dwivedi, who has written famous books like ‘Tinka Tinka Yaadein’, ‘Dakshinapath-Agastya Ke Desh Mein’, ‘Kudaal Se Kalam’ (autobiography), any sannyasi has to follow strict rules to become a dandi. After 12 years of following the rules, the punisher would throw away his/her stick and become Paramahamsa. The characteristics of the punishers and the rules for their penance have been described in religious scriptures like Manusmriti and Mahabharata. Actually, in the last stages, according to Varnashrama Dharma, all Dwijas had the right and right to become Sannyasa after living in three Ashrams (Brahmacharya, Garhasthya and Vanaprastha). But, at that time, only a Dandi Sanyasi could be a Brahmin. he/she was also allowed to be punished only in the absence of his/her parents and wife.

Paramhansa after following strict rules for 12 years

The goal of Sannyasa was salvation and to attain spiritual salvation, worldly salvation is necessary. In this way, after 12 years of following the rules, the punisher would throw away his/her stick and become Paramahamsa. Later, it became a sect of Dandi Sanyasis which started being guided by the authorized Shankaracharyas according to the book ‘Mathamnaya Mahanusashanam’ written by Lord Adi Shankaracharya.

The tradition of Shankaracharya has been going on since the establishment of the monasteries.

Shankaracharya is considered to be the highest spiritual position in Sanatan Dharma. It began with Adi Shankaracharya, when he/she established four monasteries in the four corners of India – Jyotirmath in the north, Shringeri Math in the south, Govardhan Math of Jagannathpuri in the east and Sharda Math in the west. Since then the tradition of Shankaracharya has been continuing. Only Shankaracharya makes Dandi Swami. Shankaracharya has a bamboo stick or a cloth covered rod in his/her hand.

Darshan of Dandiswami is necessary in Mahakumbh

In the scriptures, this punishment is considered a symbol of Lord Vishnu. This is the reason why it is also called ‘Brahma Dand’. When a worthy person takes up sannyasa, this punishment is given to him/her. According to Ramdhani Dwivedi, Dandi is considered to be the incarnation of Swami Narayan. That’s why they never beg for alms and go for food only on invitation. It is also said that if Dandi Swami is not served in Kumbh then Kumbh is also considered incomplete.

How does a monk bear the punishment?

After receiving the punishment, ‘Parshu Mudra’ is created in it with the help of clothes and Yajnopavita. All the powers of the universe are established in it. Dandi Sanyasis consecrate and offer this stick every day. The Sanyasi’s rod is a symbol of Lord Vishnu and his/her powers. All the Dandi Sanyasis perform Abhishek, Tarpan and Puja of their Dandi every day.

How many types of punishment are there?

The lashing also varies, such as 6, 8, 10 and 12 knot lashings. The monk takes this punishment according to his/her height. The first stick with 6 knots, which is the symbol of Sudarshan Mantra. This mantra is of 6 letters, hence ‘Sudarshan Dand’ has 6 knots or knuckles. The second is ‘Narayan Dand’ with 8 knots, which symbolizes the mantra of Lord Narayan consisting of 8 letters. The third is a stick with 10 knots, which is called ‘Gopal Dand’. Its name is derived from the Gopal Mantra, which consists of 10 letters. The fourth one is ‘Vasudev Dand’ with 12 knots. This punishment is based on Vasudev Mantra which was given by Narad ji to Dhruva. There are 12 letters in it. Similarly, the one with 14 knots, which is called ‘Anant Dand’.

Why do the dandis cover their punishments?

It is believed that the punishment is covered to maintain its purity and sanctity. To avoid touching anyone while walking, the stick has to be always covered. According to the code of conduct, the distance that the sound of cow mooing can go, the dandi sannyasi should not go beyond that distance without punishment. Dandiswami keeps it covered with a cloth while traveling in train and plane.

Samadhi is given to Dandi Sanyasi

Dandi monks eat food by begging for alms. They eat food only once a day, and that too before sunset. After the death of Dandi Swami, he/she is not kept on the pyre and burnt. It is during the initiation itself that a process of cremation of the body takes place. It is believed that he/she has attained salvation. During this time they attain salvation and after death, sannyasis are not burnt like common people. They are given Samadhi.

When Dandiswami Sahajanand went to jail

According to author Dr. PN Singh in his/her book ‘Gazipur ka Gaurav Bindu Politics Mein Revolutionary Sanyasi Swami Sahajanand’ written on the life and works of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati, Dandi Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was also a freedom fighter. Swami Sahajanand has described meeting Gandhi as a very beautiful experience in his/her autobiography ‘Mera Jeevan Sangharsh’ published in 1941. Swami Sahajanand went to jail for the first time in 1922 for his/her involvement in the freedom movement.

When Sahajanand stood up for the workers and farmers

This was the same Sahajanand Saraswati, who did not bow his/her head before industrialist RK Dalmiya. The mill functioned well in the beginning, but later the workers of the mill started being exploited. Sugarcane started being bought from farmers at half the price and the workers working in the mill were given less wages. Then Sahajanand stood up for the workers and farmers.

When Dalmia had to bow before Dandiswami

To silence Dandi Swami Sahajanand, industrialist RK Dalmia started donating every month to his/her ashram. Swami Sahajanand understood Dalmia’s trick and told him/her that you are trying to shut my mouth by sending money every month. This is not going to do any good, stop it. Then, to keep Swami Sahajanand silent, Dalmiya proposed to give Rs 10,000 and Rs 200 every month to his/her Bihta Ashram in the name of helping him/her. But Sahajanand rejected his/her proposal. Ultimately Dalmia had to bow down.