Vanavasa (Sanskrit: वनवास, romanized: vanavāsa, lit. 'forest dwelling')[1] is a Sanskrit term meaning residence (vāsa) in a forest (vana). While it can be undertaken voluntarily, it usually carries a connotation of forced exile as a punishment. It commonly figures as a harsh penalty in ancient Hindu epics (such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata)[2] set in a time, thousands of years ago, when much of the Indian subcontinent was a wilderness.[3]
When vanavasa is self-imposed, it can imply seclusion from worldly affairs to focus on spiritual matters, as in the case of ashrams (hermitages) established by ancient rishis (sages). When imposed as a punishment, it carries an implication of enforced isolation from society and exposure to life-threatening extreme situations (the elements and wildlife).
- ^ Morgan, Les B. (2011). Croaking Frogs: A Guide to Sanskrit Metrics and Figures of Speech. Les Morgan. p. 117. ISBN 978-1-4637-2562-4.
- ^ Olivelle, Patrick (2006-07-13). Between the Empires: Society in India 300 BCE to 400 CE. Oxford University Press. p. 437. ISBN 978-0-19-977507-1.
- ^ Gilbert Pollet, "Indian Epic Values: Ramayana and Its Impact: Proceedings of the 8th International Ramayana Conference, Leuven, 6-8 July 1991"; Peeters Publishers, 1995, ISBN 90-6831-701-6, ISBN 978-90-6831-701-5.