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The Duties of Vanaprasthis and Sannyasins
Therefore the sage should control the senses and the six enemies (Shadvarga or shad urmis) viz., hunger, thirst, sorrow, delusion, decay and death by the force of devotion to Me and roam about looking upon everything as Myself. Deriving great bliss and peace from the Self within, he should continue the course of meditation having renounced petty desires.
He may for the sake of alms just enter cities, village, hamlets and assemblies of pilgrims. He should roam over the land abounding in holy places, rivers, mountains, forests and hermitages.
He should get his alms mostly from the hermitages of Vanaprasthis who have retired into the forest, for his mind is purified by taking the food consisting of grains gleaned from the fields and he soon frees himself from delusion and attains bliss or liberation.
He should never regard this world as real because it undergoes change and perishes. He should not regard sweet food and other things as real for the objects of gross vision do perish. Therefore, with a mind free from attachment to this world and the next, he should give up all activities that tend to enjoyments in them.
Having realised by force of reason that this universe, the body, the mind, speech and Pranas are all Maya or a delusive superimposition on Atman, the Self-centred sage should take a firm hold of his own Atman and renounce the former up. He should not again think of them.
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