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Sadhus : Holy Men of India
Spiritual adventurers, philosophical monks, naked ascetics, or religious transvestites, the Sadhus of India form a vital and unbroken link between the birth of yoga millennia ago and its present-day expression. Numbering in the millions, these mystic holy men are worshipped by the Hindus as representatives of the gods, yet they remain largely unknown in the West because they often live in far-off places, hidden from everyday life.
In this full-color study of Sadhus more than 20 years in the making, photographer Dolf Hartsuiker illustrates the Sadhus’ world of ancient magical rituals, religious symbols, and ascetic practices. In his photographic quest across India, the author visited many holy places, attended religious festivals including the Kumbha Mela, and encountered and photographed thousands of Sadhus, befriending several as he was drawn into their inner circle. Sharing more than 100 striking color photographs from his travels, he reveals the Sadhus’ utmost devotion to their spiritual path through meditation practices, yoga exercises, penance, and austerities—sometimes taken to the extreme of prolonged self-imposed silence, bodily mortification, such as holding an arm above the head for years, or even ritual suicide—as well as their profound involvement with the mundane world as healers and teachers or magicians and sorcerers. It is a path of knowledge and devotion, renunciation and realization, sexual energy and spiritual power, divine intoxication and mystical union.
The author examines the different beliefs and behaviors of each Sadhu sect, including the “sky-clad” Naga Babas, and traces their historical and mythological roots to show how they have fundamentally shaped Hinduism since antiquity. Revealing the powerful “otherworldliness” of the Sadhus, the author also exposes the mystical beauty that emanates from those who have chosen the path of asceticism in pursuit of knowledge of the Absolute and liberation from all earthly bonds.
In this full-color study of Sadhus more than 20 years in the making, photographer Dolf Hartsuiker illustrates the Sadhus’ world of ancient magical rituals, religious symbols, and ascetic practices. In his photographic quest across India, the author visited many holy places, attended religious festivals including the Kumbha Mela, and encountered and photographed thousands of Sadhus, befriending several as he was drawn into their inner circle. Sharing more than 100 striking color photographs from his travels, he reveals the Sadhus’ utmost devotion to their spiritual path through meditation practices, yoga exercises, penance, and austerities—sometimes taken to the extreme of prolonged self-imposed silence, bodily mortification, such as holding an arm above the head for years, or even ritual suicide—as well as their profound involvement with the mundane world as healers and teachers or magicians and sorcerers. It is a path of knowledge and devotion, renunciation and realization, sexual energy and spiritual power, divine intoxication and mystical union.
The author examines the different beliefs and behaviors of each Sadhu sect, including the “sky-clad” Naga Babas, and traces their historical and mythological roots to show how they have fundamentally shaped Hinduism since antiquity. Revealing the powerful “otherworldliness” of the Sadhus, the author also exposes the mystical beauty that emanates from those who have chosen the path of asceticism in pursuit of knowledge of the Absolute and liberation from all earthly bonds.
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First published September 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 18, 2022
This book finally codefies and answers many questions for anyone ,who like me has a burning curiosity about the inner workings of the universe of the Sadhus.
Brilliantly written, full of wonderful photographs.
I have not found a more organized dissertation on the subject.
If you know of any others please let me know.
Brilliantly written, full of wonderful photographs.
I have not found a more organized dissertation on the subject.
If you know of any others please let me know.
February 14, 2021
'Sadhus' was a beautiful book with excellent information about the lives of Sadhus, the holy men of India. The photographs are well placed in this book according to the subject that is being discussed. I was especially taken up by the tapasaya that a Sadhu does, I was not aware of those rigorous practices. Dolf Hartsuiker's beautiful book really enlightened me about that aspect. I can see that the author has really taken a lot of love & care in photographing the sadhus which therefore brings out the best in his pictures. The lives of India's holy men inspire me as they always do. This book was a good read & deserves all the accolades that it should get. I hope to read more books by Dolf Hartsuiker in the near future, he is a wonderful writer & photographer. Kudos !
July 4, 2014
One of my all-time favorite books where a picture really, really says more than any words ever could. Though sometimes Hartsuiker's Sanskrit translations are off, the subject matter is stunning enough that you cannot help but want to peruse this book again and again. As the Vedic monarch Kaushik once remarked, "When I see these mendicants, I feel an indescribable thrill within me." Love it !
July 18, 2021
Dr. Dolf Hartsuiker, a Dutch psychologist, artist and traveler, captured some rather remarkable pictures in this book. For him to be able to establish the relationship and favor with these holy men of India was astounding to me.
He includes some solid background information throughout, including specifics about Vaishavites (followers of Vishnu) and Shaivites (followers of Shiva)--some of which I knew, some of which I knew not.
These Sadhus, or ascetics of primarily of Hinduism, are some of the most bizarre and unique individuals on the planet. They are SO admirable in the sense that they are willing to go ALL OUT for what they believe (sacrificing comforts in order to demonstrate complete surrender to the Absolute), through things such as:
-Holding an arm up for TWELVE YEARS!
-Attaching BIG rocks held together by ropes to their PENIS to renounce sexuality!
-Immerse themselves up to their chin in COLD rivers near the Himalayas!
-Surround themselves with FIRES for up to EIGHTEEN years!
-STANDING for TWELVE years (the most they get off their feet is by leaning on sticks OR hanging over a swing!
-Not SPEAKING for TWELVE years (Twelve is special for Hindus due to the astrological calendar)!
This all being said, since I am a follower of Jesus, I think it is also very sad in another sense. I really do not believe these austerities are necessary, as Jesus is the WAY to connection to the Absolute (God). What He did on the cross covers ALL of our sin (bad karma as karmic believers think), and as a result, we can walk and live in FREEDOM communing with our Creator all day every day. While sacrifice and asceticism is used in Christianity as well, such as fasting from food, technology, etc., the greatest commandment(s) says to love God with everything AND love our neighbors as ourselves. Living such isolated lives keeps people from doing that. That being said, to be fair, some Sadhus, or ascetics, DO interact with people, although it is usually their disciple(s).
A final thing I would like to explore and ask more about is how it said lots of them smoke hashish, and I do not know how that resembles purity or holiness. I think there is a spiritual realm that includes angels and demons, and when I was reading “Death of a Guru” by Rabi R. Maharaj and he seemed pretty convinced of a demonic influence related to some of these pursuits within Hinduism. This was also suggested in Gary Habermas’ book “Beyond Death: Exploring the Evidence for Immorality” when discussing claims of NDEs (Near Death Experiences), which I thought there was solid evidence for.
I would LOVE to discuss these things more if any of you would like…(Sorry for being offensive to anyone, I'm just trying to honestly share what I think)
He includes some solid background information throughout, including specifics about Vaishavites (followers of Vishnu) and Shaivites (followers of Shiva)--some of which I knew, some of which I knew not.
These Sadhus, or ascetics of primarily of Hinduism, are some of the most bizarre and unique individuals on the planet. They are SO admirable in the sense that they are willing to go ALL OUT for what they believe (sacrificing comforts in order to demonstrate complete surrender to the Absolute), through things such as:
-Holding an arm up for TWELVE YEARS!
-Attaching BIG rocks held together by ropes to their PENIS to renounce sexuality!
-Immerse themselves up to their chin in COLD rivers near the Himalayas!
-Surround themselves with FIRES for up to EIGHTEEN years!
-STANDING for TWELVE years (the most they get off their feet is by leaning on sticks OR hanging over a swing!
-Not SPEAKING for TWELVE years (Twelve is special for Hindus due to the astrological calendar)!
This all being said, since I am a follower of Jesus, I think it is also very sad in another sense. I really do not believe these austerities are necessary, as Jesus is the WAY to connection to the Absolute (God). What He did on the cross covers ALL of our sin (bad karma as karmic believers think), and as a result, we can walk and live in FREEDOM communing with our Creator all day every day. While sacrifice and asceticism is used in Christianity as well, such as fasting from food, technology, etc., the greatest commandment(s) says to love God with everything AND love our neighbors as ourselves. Living such isolated lives keeps people from doing that. That being said, to be fair, some Sadhus, or ascetics, DO interact with people, although it is usually their disciple(s).
A final thing I would like to explore and ask more about is how it said lots of them smoke hashish, and I do not know how that resembles purity or holiness. I think there is a spiritual realm that includes angels and demons, and when I was reading “Death of a Guru” by Rabi R. Maharaj and he seemed pretty convinced of a demonic influence related to some of these pursuits within Hinduism. This was also suggested in Gary Habermas’ book “Beyond Death: Exploring the Evidence for Immorality” when discussing claims of NDEs (Near Death Experiences), which I thought there was solid evidence for.
I would LOVE to discuss these things more if any of you would like…(Sorry for being offensive to anyone, I'm just trying to honestly share what I think)
January 9, 2019
A pretty basic primer on sadhus.
December 7, 2015
In 1975 I was in India for a while and met quite a few sadhus there.
Most of them smoked charas (hash) on a daily basis, and I sometimes wondered about that... I mean, hash has undesirable side effects such as non-optimal functioning of short term memory, for instance. Also, the practise of meditation, which brings more clarity and awareness, seems to contradict this as a lifestyle.
I'm also presuming there's no mention of hash in any of the vedas, so what's the sadhu's "excuse" for smoking it?
Pondering on this for a while I was happy to see that finally there is a book on the subject of sadhus.
It did not shed light on all of my questions, but it did on some, and is a treasure anyhow. It is the only book, as far as I know, that deals with this topic as sole focus!
The author is a photographer, and that aspect of the book most certainly does not disappoint. In fact it stands out, as meant, presumably, and establishes it - in my very humble opinion :-) as a classic to be.
Most of them smoked charas (hash) on a daily basis, and I sometimes wondered about that... I mean, hash has undesirable side effects such as non-optimal functioning of short term memory, for instance. Also, the practise of meditation, which brings more clarity and awareness, seems to contradict this as a lifestyle.
I'm also presuming there's no mention of hash in any of the vedas, so what's the sadhu's "excuse" for smoking it?
Pondering on this for a while I was happy to see that finally there is a book on the subject of sadhus.
It did not shed light on all of my questions, but it did on some, and is a treasure anyhow. It is the only book, as far as I know, that deals with this topic as sole focus!
The author is a photographer, and that aspect of the book most certainly does not disappoint. In fact it stands out, as meant, presumably, and establishes it - in my very humble opinion :-) as a classic to be.
September 25, 2015
Excellent read, very enlightening without being dry. The photography is amazing, the images are so stunning they tend to stay with you. What a pleasure to enjoy what you are reading on a level that is difficult to express!!!
May 27, 2019
A fascinating book about the mystic men and women of India. This book is for anyone that is 'obsessed '(it could just be me), with spiritualism. I was most in awe of the pictures within the book and the tidbit of information concerning the Saddhus of India.
January 16, 2010
Lovely presentation - photos and text filled me with wonder.
November 24, 2013
BRILLIANT JOURNEY FOR A HINDU......
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews