The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (2106 page)

(Skt., ‘putting or throwing down’, ‘renunciation’). In Hinduism, the formal and final renunciation of all ties to family, caste, and property. It is a way of life outside the normal duties and rewards of society, dedicated solely to the goal of liberation (
mok
a
). According to the Hindu law books, sa
ny
sa is the fourth and last stage in life (
rama
) of twice-born Hindus, and may be entered upon when one has seen the birth ‘of the eldest son's son’.
The full ritual process by which one formally renounces may extend over two or more days. Following these rites it is customary for the newly initiated sa
nyasin to make his first round of begging alms (
bik
).
Besides the normative description of the life of renunciation found in the Dharma
stras and their later commentaries, there exists a whole class of minor
Upani
ads
, the Sa
ny
sa Upani