Bhikshuka Upanishad is a minor Upanishad belonging to the
Shukla Yajur Veda. This Upanishad is about the Bhikshus or mendicants, who seek Liberation. The four types of Bhikshukas are Kutichaka (hut dwelling), Bahudaka (those staying near holy water), Hamsa (sustaining on cow's products), and Paramahamsa (those who become absorbed in Brahman the Supreme).
Instances of Kutichakas are sages like Gautama, Bharadvaja, Yajnavalkya and Vasistha, who subsist on eight mouthfuls of food and seek liberation alone by the path of yoga. The Bahudaka ascetics are known by the three-fold emblematic staff and water vessel they carry, as well as the sacred tuft of hair, sacred thread and ochre coloured garment they wear. Avoiding wine and meat, they subsist on eight mouthfuls of food secured as alms from the houses of Brahmana sages and seek liberation alone in the path of Yoga. The Hamsa ascetics take shelter for one night in a village, five nights in a town and seven nights or more in a holy place. The Paramahamsa ascetics like Samvartaka, Aruni, Svetaketu, Jadabharata, Dattatreya, Suka, Vamadeva and Harita, are typical avadhutas who live on eight mouthfuls of food and seek liberation alone in the path of Yoga. They take shelter under the shade of trees, in deserted houses or in a cemetery. They may wear a dress or be unclad. In the paramahamsa stage, a monk realizes Brahman.
