The sannyasi's answer was based on the Vedantic tradition. He replied: there are three kinds of desires. The first one comes under the category of non-binding desires that may be termed 'preferences'. For example, when a man is asked whether he would like to have tea or coffee and he replies, 'Coffee,' it is a preference. But if coffee is unavailable, he is comfortable with the other option, tea. It does not bother him.