Question: Sir,Thank you for your reply. I have a few more doubts which I hope you will be able to clear.
1. Why do monks or fakirs keep turbans? Is it a symbol of anything?
2. In olden days monks used to beg alms from house to house, what is the reason for this?
3. Sri Ramakrishna considered a monk who begs for his alms as the purest. Do the present monks of the Ramakrishna order beg for alms?
Answer: There is no such rule as to Monks and Fakirs to keep turbans. It symbolizes nothing. Depending upon the climatic conditions and the likings of the individuals they may wear a turban or a cap or any suitable headgear.
This is known as Madhukara-Vriiti. This is with a view to see that no individual house holder is burdened in the maintenance of a Sadhu.
Ramakrishna Order monks beg for alms for three days after being ordained into the Sannyas. This is a part of the ceremony. However they will also beg for alms when they stay in some parts of the Himalayas or during their wandering days. Since the Ramakrishna Order takes care of the basic necessities of the Monks staying in their Ashramas and also the present day social set up particularly in the cities is not conducible, they do not go for begging