The text identifies four types of (Vaishnava) renouncers - Kuticaka, Bahudaka, Hamsa and Paramahamsa. All of them carry a symbol or sign of Vishnu, internally through their virtuous conduct, and externally as an emblem that is a reminder. All pursue the study of Vedanta philosophy. However, unlike other Sannyasa Upanishads which suggest gradual abandonment of all emblematic articles, the Shatyayaniya Upanishad asserts that all four renouncers carry the emblem of Vishnu, but the lifestyle - such as how they find food for survival - for these four types of Vaishnava monks is different.