At the proper time in life, a person should feel the desire to renounce worldly attachments; to do otherwise is to risk falling from the path. With self-control and passions that have ripened and settled, he should seek shelter in the hermitage of Brahman, the Supreme. Yet, among those who renounce, there are three distinct kinds. One is called a renouncer of knowledge, who dwells only within his own self. Another, having conquered his senses and longing for liberation, is known as a renouncer of the Vedas. The third is recognized as a renouncer of action, wholly dedicated to the great sacrifices. For the wise renunciant, there is no prescribed duty, nor any outward sign by which he is marked. He may wear old loincloths or even go unclothed, ever intent on meditation. His mind is anchored in the Self, indifferent to external things, free from desire. He neither welcomes death nor longs for life. With such understanding, the supreme yogi becomes fit for union with Brahman. Always clad in ochre robes, he devotes himself to meditation and yoga, living solely on alms and never eating from just one house. For him, the scriptures of dharma prescribe no expiation. He refrains from harming any living being, remains silent, and is free from all desires. His speech is always purified by truth, and his actions arise from a pure mind. Constantly devoted to bathing and cleanliness, he carries a water-pot and maintains his purity. He studies the scriptures of liberation, disciplines himself according to the Brahma-sūtras, and has mastery over his senses. A renunciant endowed with self-knowledge attains liberation. After bathing and sipping water as the rules prescribe, pure in body and mind, he enters temples and other sacred places. Wearing freshly washed ochre garments, his body smeared with holy ash, he moves about, ever pursuing the spiritual discipline as taught in Vedānta. He studies the Veda daily, for such diligence leads to the highest state. Forgiveness, compassion, and contentment are especially his vows. He bathes each day and lives only on food received as alms. Daily, he performs self-study and recites the Sāvitrī mantra at both dawn and dusk. He avoids accepting food from only one person, as well as avoiding desire, anger, and possessiveness. Carrying a water-pot, learned and bearing the triple staff, he attains the supreme state. Living by alms is prescribed for him, or else by gathering fruits and roots. If a renunciant becomes attached even to alms, he risks falling into attachment to sense-objects as well. He should wash his bowl before eating, and after eating, cleanse it with water. When he has eaten, he sets aside his bowl, never greedy for more than what is necessary for his journey. When his bowl is filled, he takes only that measure of alms. Having asked for alms once, he eats in silence, with self-control and purity. After showing his food to the sun, he eats facing east or north. Having sipped water, he meditates on Brahma, the Supreme Lord. Manu, the lord of all creatures, spoke of four vessels appropriate for ascetics. At the junctions of day—dawn, noon, and dusk—and especially before the sacred fire, he should always contemplate the Lord. The Self of all beings stands beyond darkness. He transcends both matter and spirit, is as subtle as space, is fire, and is supremely auspicious.