ABSTRACT
I have established that within Sarada Mandiram, ranking follows the taravād model. Individuals are ranked according to ‘generation’ (saṃnyāsinis, brahmacārinis, Probationers and Pre Probationers), and within each rank, according to relative age. In its relations with the outside world, the saṃnyāsinis of Sarada Mandiram have ranked themselves on an aristocratic taravād level in food, dress and custom. Perhaps even more importantly, the monastic inmates assume this level when speaking in Malayalam, both within the Institution and in discourse with non inmates. Since Malayalam cannot be spoken without the relative rank of all parties being taken into consideration, my assertions regarding the self image of the monastic inmates can easily be demonstrated.
