Sadhu is a person who follows the path of God realization thru self realization. A Sadhu can be called as Sanyasi, Baba, or Mahatma – these are spiritual words, the word Baba can be used in spiritual or in normal course of life. If, Guru says, Deepak Chopra is a Sadhu, you might get shocked that he doesn’t live in cave and doesn’t have long beard and red dress.

A Sadhu can have red dress & long beard, but this is not the main requirement to call as a Sadhu, this is exterior. A Sadhu can be with or without a particular dress; the path, where Sadhu moves on and on, belongs to self-transformation thru the practice of Yoga, Meditation (Dhyan), Mantra, Ritual, Scriptures and various things.

Sadhus and Begging

Guru has met to some Sadhus (who wear red clothes and live in secluded places), and finds: due to lack of money they remain hungry for several days – unless somebody gives them something to eat. Generally, Sadhus don’t beg money, but due to lack of it, they go through excruciating physical sufferings.

Sadhus and Money

Some Sadhus, due to consistent spiritual practices, who get knowledge and some (more or less) spiritual powers earns a lots of money (even, they are not much interested in it), but money flows to them like anything.