A sadhu (saa-dhu) is a wandering monk who chooses a life of abstinence in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Abandoning all earthly ties, the sadhu tradition leads its followers in the search for life’s true values. Sadhus live on the periphery of society, ignoring the pleasures and pains of human life; shunning family, sex, money, home, and even clothes. True to their name, the naga (naked) sadhus walk the streets covered only in ashes as a reminder that nothing, in this life at least, lasts forever. For these disciples, life means three things: meditation, prayer and divine knowledge.
