A member of an ancient group of Indian philosophers and ascetics known for practicing nudity and extreme self-denial to achieve spiritual wisdom.
From Greek 'gymnos' (naked) and 'sophist' (wise man or teacher). The word entered English through Greek historical accounts of Indian ascetics from the Hellenistic period.
Alexander the Great's historians were fascinated and confused by these wandering naked philosophers—the accounts they left behind are some of our oldest records of Indian spirituality!
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