What is the secret of finding the right name for each sannyasin?

What is the secret of your finding the right name for each of your thousands of sannyasins?

To tell you the truth, there is no secret at all. Meditate on this story: There were three wise men following a star, bearing gifts to take to their lord. They traveled much and came to rest at a stable, as the star they were following was directly above it. They got down from their donkeys and the first went into the stable and laid his gift at the foot of the manger. The second followed, laying his gift at the foot of the manger also. It happened that the third was much taller than the first two, and as he entered the stable he hit his head on the beam. In great pain he shouted, "Jesus Christ!" At which, Mary looked up at him, smiling, and said, "Oh, what a beautiful name! I was going to call him Fred." The fifth question: OSHO,

Question: OSHO, HOW DO YOU ALWAYS FIND NEW NAMES TO GIVE TO YOUR SANNYASINS? Hence I change the name -- to give you a break, to give you the idea that name is just a given thing. Your old name disappears, a new name becomes your reality, but now you will not get so much identified because you are now more mature. The first name was given when you were a small child; you were not aware. Now you are a little bit aware. And by becoming a sannyasin you are becoming committed to more and more awareness, to a life of witnessing in which all identities have to be dropped. A man is absolutely free only when there is no identity left.

Osho, you have given me the name—Yogananda. Explain the secret behind it.

The looks and the wits are different—“Nainsukh” (Delight-of-the-eyes) turned out one-eyed; Babu Sundarlal (Mr. Beautiful) was made with bulging eyes. Says “Kaka,” the poet: Dayaramji swats mosquitoes, And Vidhyadhar (Bearer-of-knowledge) finds letters as black as a buffalo—utterly illiterate. Munshi Chandalal’s complexion is like tar, While Shyamlal (Darky) is fair as radiant sunshine. Fair as sunshine, smart in bush-shirt and pants, Gyanchand (Moon-of-knowledge) failed the tenth grade six times. Says “Kaka”: Jwalaprasad (Flame-grace) is absolutely cool, Pandit Shantiswaroop (Embodiment-of-peace) has been seen wielding sticks. Look—Asharfilal (Mr. Gold-coin) has a broken cot at home, While Seth Chhadammilal (Mr. Counterfeit) runs eight mills. Eight mills keep running, yet the accounts of karma don’t erase; Dhani Ramji (Mr. Wealthy) I’ve often seen destitute. Says “Kaka”: Dulheram (Bridegroom) died a bachelor, Poor Pritam Singh (Beloved) pines without a beloved. Jagpal (Protector-of-the-world) couldn’t fill his own stomach all his life, And you meet hundreds of Ganeshilals…

Osho, when you initiate disciples into sannyas you give them beautiful names. Please be kind enough to explain the mystery and meaning of these beautiful names.

A name is just a name. If I have to give one, I give a beautiful one—why give an ugly one? If I wished I could say, “Swami Chuhadmal Fuhradmal.” A name is just a name. And if I must give it, I give a beautiful one. There isn’t much in it. What meaning can a name really hold? Meaning belongs to action. Don’t get stuck relying on a name. If you do something, something will happen; if you allow something to happen, something will happen. However beautiful a name I give you—what will that do? If only life changed by changing a name—how simple it would be! By giving you a beautiful name I am expressing my aspiration, my longing for you. By giving you a beautiful name I am blessing you: I have desired the most beautiful in you! Now you must do something. By giving you a…

Osho, how do you choose the names of people being initiated into sannyas just by taking one look at them?

Shraddhanand! An old hippie was getting his hair cut. The barber asked, “Were you ever in the navy?” The hippie asked in surprise, “How did you know? Are you also...!” “No, sir,” the barber said, “I just now found this sailor’s cap tangled in your hair.” It doesn’t take much investigation. Now, for example, Shraddhanand, I looked at you—no shraddha (faith), no anand (bliss)—so I said, all right: Shraddhanand! There are two things you need: shraddha and anand. This is a prescription, brother. It’s not your name; it’s a prescription for the medicine you need—these two things. On your face I saw doubt, your expression funereal, as if you were about to cry any moment, if not already crying—so I quickly said: Shraddhanand! Brother, don’t cry! What’s done is done. Hearing “Shraddhanand,” you did brighten a little; you felt steadied, heartened. The very word anand cheered you up: “Ah, me…