|
Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 18: Verses 13-24
Having propitiated Me according to precept (through the Prajapatya sacrifice after performing the eight types of Sraddha incumbent on him who is going to renounce the world), if he is free from (all) desires, and given everything to the officiating priest and having withdrawn the sacred fire into his own breath, the hermit may enter the order of recluses. In the way of a Brahmana who is actually going to renounce the world the gods in the garb (through the agency) of his wife and so on place obstacles, for fear lest he should outstrip them and attain to the Supreme. (One who is bent on attaining final beatitude should not, however, be deterred by such obstacles). If at all a recluse would have a covering (for his body), he should wear a piece of cloth barely enough to cover the strip of cloth used by him to hide his private parts with. Nor should he retain (in his possession) anything renounced by him (at the time of entering the order of Sarhnyasa) other than a staff (used as a token of Samnyasa) and a Kamandalu (a water-pot made of the shell of a wild cocoanut) otherwise than in a critical plight. He should take (every) step (only) after the ground he is going to tread has been scanned with his eyes (lest he should unwittingly trample any creature); he should drink water strained with (a piece of) cloth, utter words tested on the touchstone of truth and do that which has been found correct by reference to his conscience. Silence is the cudgel to control one's speech; abstinence from interested action, the one to control one's body; and Pranayama (breath-control) is the cudgel to curb one's mind. He who does not wield these (cudgels) cannot be (held to be) a recluse by (mere) bamboo-staves carried on his person. A recluse should resort for alms to the four types of Brahmanas alone (those living by gifts received, teaching, officiating at sacrifices and gleaning food-grains from fields and grain-markets), avoiding those of reproachful conduct and visit only seven houses not specified before, and should remain[1]
contented with the food got from those houses (alone). Going to a reservoir of water (such as a pond or tank) outside the town or village, he should rinse his mouth there and,allotting a (due) share to those deserving it (viz., Lord Visnu, Brahma, the sun-god and all
created beings) once it has been consecrated (by sprinkling with water and so on), he should silently consume all the rest that was brought him-neither brining more than was required nor laying by anything for another time). With his senses fully controlled he should perambulate this earth (all) alone and free from attachment, finding recreation and delight in the Self, self-possessed and viewing all alike. Dwelling in a lonely yet secure abode and keeping his mind pure through devotion to Me, the sage should contemplate on the Self as one and undistinguishable from Me. By inquiring into the truth (of things) he should investigate the true nature of bondage and liberation of the Self. Bondage consists in the distraction of the senses and Liberation in their full control. Therefore, keeping in check the six senses (the five external senses and the mind, the internal sense) and averse to the trifling pleasures of sense, and finding abundant joy in the Self, the recluse should go about the world contemplating on Me. He should perambulate the earth full of holy tracts, rivers, mountains, woodlands and hermitages, entering towns and villages, cowherd stations and caravanserais (only) for the sake of alms.
|
|
