Social Life in Ancient India: Studies in Vatsyayana's Kamasutra c7.21

c7.21

The Brāhmaṇas as performing various religious functions and as forming various orders of monks or ascetics, are mentioned by Vātsyāyana: for example, the Śrotriya and the fire maintained constantly in his house for offering daily sacrifices, are referred to several times in the chapter on marriage¹, and besides, in other places. Moreover, we find a mention of the Brahmacārin, the Dīkṣita or the man initiated to perform a sacrifice, the Vratin or the man who has taken a special vow, and the Lingin or person who like the Sannyāsin of later times, has adopted certain special dress and marks². The Commentary explains the Lingin as the Parivrājaka—the wandering ascetic who has renounced the world³.