Asceticism in Ancient India

In the Ancient Hindu society the system of ashramas had great significance. The Hindu Philosophers regarded the worldly as well as transcendental life of man as of equal importance but always preferred the latter. According to the perception of the thinkers the true aim of life is not to indulge in sensuousness and worldly enjoyment but to seek salvation by following the spiritual truth and living a pure chaste and sinless life.This kind of thinking gave rise to the institution of samnyasa. This doctrine of renouncing the world is found current not only in Hinduism but also in Buddhism and Jainism