Rishi, Sanyasi, Pandit, Sadhu, what are they!?! You know they’re all types of holy people, but you’re not sure what the distinctions are.
In the Vedas the term Rishi also known as Rushi denotes an inspired poet of Vedic hymns. Post-Vedic tradition of Hinduism regards the Rishis as "seers" or "sages", who after intense meditation (Tapas) realized truths and eternal knowledge, which they composed into hymns.
An individual in Sanyasa is known as a Sannyasi in Hinduism. Sannyasa is the life stage of renunciation within the Hindu philosophy of four age-based life stages known as ashramas, with the first three being Brahmacharya (bachelor student), Grihastha(householder) and Vanaprastha (forest dweller, retired). Sannyasa is a form of asceticism, is marked by renunciation of material desires and prejudices, represented by a state of disinterest and detachment from material life, and has the purpose of spending one's life in peaceful, love-inspired, simple spiritual life. Sannyasa has historically been a stage of renunciation, ahimsa (non-violence) peaceful and simple life and spiritual pursuit in Indian traditions.
The Pandit is a scholar or a teacher of any field of knowledge in Hinduism, particularly the Vedic scriptures, dharma, Hindu philosophy, or secular subjects such as music. He may be a Guru in a Gurukul. In Sanskrit, Pandit generally refers to any "wise, educated or learned man" with specialized knowledge. The term is derived from paṇḍ which means "to collect, heap, pile up", and this root is used in the sense of knowledge. The term is found in Vedic and post-Vedic texts, but without any sociological context. In the colonial era literature, the term generally refers to Brahmins specialized in Hindu law. The related term Purohit refers to a house priest.
Sadhu is a religious ascetic or holy person. Although the vast majority of sadhus are yogis, not all yogis are sadhus. The Sadhu is solely dedicated to achieving mokṣa (liberation), the fourth and final asrama (stage of life), through meditation and contemplation of Brahman. Sadhus often wear saffron-coloured clothing, symbolising their Sannyasa (renunciation). The Sanskrit terms sadhu ("good man") refer to renouncers who have chosen to live lives apart from or on the edges of society to focus on their own spiritual practices.
Swami is an ascetic or yogi who has been initiated into the religious monastic order, founded by some religious teacher. It is believed to be originally used for the ones who were initiated into to the Advaita Vedanta movement, started by Adi Shankara. The usage of this word is not just for a yogi but also used for a religious guru, with or without disciples.
