Within Vedic culture, sannyasa means the renounced order of life. It is seen as the most advanced level in terms of spirituality and is the last stage of the varnashram systems. It is traditionally taken by men after they renounce household life at the age of 50, or by young adults who wish to give their life to God by preaching His mission. Such a person is known as a sannyasi.
In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, there are many substantial philosophical points to understand in the proper perspective. To make progress in devotional service, devotees must refine their conception of relationship with others while remaining focused on Krishna. The order of sannyasa is a strong step in that direction.
There is an external meaning and an internal meaning to the order of sannyasa. Formally, the order of sannyasa meant to renounce the material world and live in a secluded place. That is, we renounce family life and relationships with friends and responsibilities and dedicate our body, mind, words, and soul--to the service of the Lord.
Sannyasa means using one's capabilities for the benefit of human society by becoming a missionary; and pursuing one aim in life, which is to develop love for God. This aim is the realization of the soul and becoming transcendental from pain and suffering, be beyond duality and the bodily conception of life.
Lifestyle and goals
The sannyasi has no personal possessions and material attachments. Whatever he has is used in the service of the Lord. He practises meditation on God - or in other traditions, bhakti, or devotional meditation, with prayers to God and His incarnations. The goal of the vaishnava sannsyasi is to develop love of God and going back to His kingdom. For the devotion oriented traditions, liberation consists of service to God, while for Yoga oriented traditions, liberation is the experience of the highest samadhi (enlightenment). Both are found within vaishnaism and they are classified as bhajananandi and ghoshanandi.
Within the Bhagavad Gita, sannyasa is described by Krishna as follows:
"The giving up of activities that are based on material desire is what great learned men call the renounced order of life (sannyasa). And giving up the results of all activities is what the wise call renunciation (tyaga)." (18.2)
Danda as spiritual attribute
Transcendentalists such as sadhus carry the danda as an austerity and represent the spiritual order of life of the person as a sannyasi. In Vaishnavism it is said that all the demigods reside in that danda and that it also represents the temple of Vishnu, God. Personalists carry a tridanda or a danda made with three rods whereas the impersonalists carry an ekadanda or a danda made of one rod.
