Shramana

Shramana refers to a group of spiritual seekers and ascetics in ancient India, active roughly between the 6th and 3rd centuries BCE. They followed paths of renunciation, meditation, and ethical discipline to attain spiritual liberation or enlightenment. The Shramanas emphasized personal effort over ritual sacrifices and questioned traditional Brahmin authority and priestly practices. Their teachings influenced Jainism and Buddhism and contributed to the diverse religious landscape of India. Essentially, Shramanas were individuals committed to spiritual self-discipline and independent exploration of truth outside conventional Vedic traditions.