Sadhu at Jaipur Photo

Photographer’s Note

As we visited Jaipur - the pink city - we went to a small temple, where a few sadhus are living. They have a nice terrace at the first floor, there you have a pretty view over the pink city.
While we visited this place, they made music, were singing, it was a very special moment for us, such a peaceful but mystic spirit. And he was sitting there like in meditation, very impressing, we will never forget.

In Hinduism, a sadhu is a common term for a renounced ascetic or practitioner of yoga who has given up pursuit of the first three Hindu goals of life: kama (pleasure), artha (wealth and power) and even dharma (duty). The sadhu is solely dedicated to achieving moksha (liberation) through meditation and contemplation of God.

They are renunciates who have left behind all material and sexual attachments and live in forests and temples all over India. The word comes from the Sanskrit ‘to practice’ and the practice of meditation is supposed to be what they’re about.

There are around 4 or 5 million sadhus in India today and they are still widely respected, revered and even feared. No one wants the curse of a sadhu upon them. It is also thought that the austere practices of the sadhus helps to burn off their karma and that of the community at large. Thus society donates money and food to feed them.

PJE, kevinos, ernestW, yasoda-nandana, ajcsousa has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

PJE (19333) 2005-08-12 16:22

Wow this is a gorgous photo of a Sadhu. Thanks for all your info on this photo too. I think you have a real winning shot here. He is in deep thought too. It is funny though. All the East Indians who come to Canada like to pursue wealt and pleasure. Quite a contrast from this fellow. Keep up the good work. I posted a sunset on the same page as yours.

kevinos (6871) 2005-08-12 17:09

Another great pciture ,Sabine. The composition is simple and strong. The colours work well, with the golds and browns against the cool blue-grey of the stone. Your subject too is facinating.

[2]

ernestW (8) 2005-08-12 20:21

This composition of a Sadhu seems very contradictive to me : his eyes and face attitude are closed and empty but his boby attitude is resting. He seems in deep meditation and of a great wisdom, as he was above himself, in abstraction of his body. Very powerful atmosphere.

[2]

tucancr (24) 2005-08-13 0:25

A very good daily life photo, his gesture is impressive, good composition, well done, Iris

yasoda-nandana (430) 2005-08-13 5:58

everything is nice in the photo of this vaishnava sadhu... perfect framing and nice colors...

the note is very informative and useful

(for this pic you are in my favorites)

oochappan (22024) 2005-08-15 2:57

Tight frame on the whole Sadhu, his whole pose and gaze radiates something timeless, perfect balanced coloring.

karmatso (67) 2005-08-15 7:39

That is an excellent picture. He has such character. These men are so colorful and interesting. Thank you for sharing.

Drom (1165) 2005-08-21 11:06

Hello,
C'est l'Inde comme je me la représente...Formidable présence sur la photo. Encore bravo!
Dominique

ajcsousa (1804) 2005-08-21 17:00

Nice shot, you catched a very good expression. Good colours, light and details.

Be well
António

Luan (15935) 2005-08-23 14:54

Hello Sabine,
I like this picture, especially the position of the saddhu, so relax and losts in his thoughs. Very nice portrait and nice colors
Luan

telthebell (710) 2005-09-24 14:59

Fantastic Capture...Well Done

clic (4061) 2006-11-02 8:55

Guten tag Sabine
A tribute to wisdom so well expressed by his location in the frame: Sight enters through the left and deadlocks on Sadhu face. In fact all the lines of drape and arm lead to face!
It's very uncomfortable to enter the picture from right to left....try it!!
Auf wiedersehen
Robert

cepekdong (3668) 2006-11-06 14:08

ein sehr interessanter mann... er ist wohl kein gebuertiger trunkelsberger, aber er wuerde sich dort sicher auch gut machen oder ?
mir gefaellt sein langer bart und der orange umhang !

gruss aus kempten

daniel