ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the topic of asceticism in ancient and contemporary India. It explains cross-cultural definitions of asceticism, followed by the presentation of an ancient Indian concept of asceticism with a focus on the concept of yoga. The chapter discusses the origins of Indian asceticism by presenting conflicting scientific views. It also draws attention to asceticism in modern India, embodied by sadhus. Sadhus live in their own cultural system which is a unified symbolic system'. The chapter describes beliefs which constitute this sacred world in their historical context of socioeconomic developments. Indologists and scientists who deal with the roots of ancient Indian asceticism agree that the so-called Samnyasa Upanishads are the basis in Vedic revelation for the institution of renunciation and for the rules and practices associated with that state. They play a central role in the theological reflections and disputes concerning that key institution of Brahmanical religion'.
