Penance is not in a lengthy Beard

Contemplating on the Paramahansa Nithyananda debacle, one wonders what is true Sanyas? Is it merely the outward showw of penance such as saffron robes, long hair or shaven head or is it an inner peace that emanates from the attainment of perfect balance with the whole universe?

Thiruvalluvar, the Divine Poet is emphatic in Kural 280 when he says, "There is no use of Shaven Crown, nor of tangled long hair if a man abstains from those deeds which the wise have condemned."

So emphatic is his condemnation of those who defraud the public in the guise of Sanyaasis. In fact the main thrust of the 28th chapter of the Thirukural is to warn the gullible about the wiles of these charlatans who have the external appearance of monks but are rogues at heart.

I am also reminded of a great poem which goes like this:

Penance is not in the lengthy beard;

Knowledge is not in clever argument;

The world cannot be contained in your shoulder bag.