Sannyas is a spiritual practice in Hinduism and Buddhism where an individual renounces worldly life to seek spiritual enlightenment. This often involves giving up material possessions, social ties, and personal desires to focus on meditation and self-realization. The term is derived from the Sanskrit word "sannyasa," which means renunciation. In the context of Hinduism, a person who takes sannyas is called a sannyasi or sannyasini for women. This stage of life is considered the fourth and final ashrama, or life phase, emphasizing the pursuit of knowledge and liberation from the cycle of birth and death, known as moksha.