The Nirvana Upanishad describes the sannyasi (renouncer), his character and his state of existence as he leads the monastic life in the Hindu Ashrama tradition. The Upanishad is notable for not mentioning any rites of passage, qualifications or discussion of the sannyasi life before renunciation. It just describes the Sannyasi, his external state, his inner state. The Upanishad asserts that the life of the sannyasi is of reflection, not rituals, dedicated to Jnana-kanda (knowledge section of the Vedas), finding home when he is in union with truth and perfection. Self-knowledge is his journey and destination, a solitary place his monastery of bliss. The universe of Sannyasi The sky is his belief. His knowledge is of the absolute. Union is his initiation. Compassion alone is his pastime. Bliss is his garland. The cave of solitude is his fellowship. His teaching: Hamsa abides in the heart of every being. Fortitude is his patched garment. Investigation is his staff (walking stick). Happiness is his sandals. Union with the truth, the perfect is his monastery. The primordial Brahman is self-knowledge. A solitary place is his monastery of bliss. The non-dual Being and Bliss is his divinity. The soundless is his mantra. His own nature is his liberation. —Nirvana Upanishad The Nirvana Upanishad is written in Sutra-style. A Sutra means "string, thread", and in Indian literary traditions, it also refers to an aphorism or a collection of aphorisms in the form of a condensed manual or text. Each sutra is like a theorem distilled into few words or syllables, around which "teachings of ritual, philosophy, grammar or any field of knowledge" can be woven. This Upanishad deals with Vedanta philosophy.