प्रकृतिं याति परं न याति जन्म
He attains the highest nature, he does not undergo birth.
वानप्रस्थाश्रमं गच्छेत् सदारः साग्निरेव च दृष्ट्वापत्यस्य चापत्यं जर्जरीकृतविग्रहः
He should enter the forest-dweller's stage, with wife and with fire, having seen his child's child and his body worn out.
गत्वारण्यं नियमवांस्तपः कुर्यात् समाहितः
Having gone to the forest, one who is disciplined should practice austerity with concentration.
यताहारो भवेत् तेन पूजयेत् पितृदेवताः
With whatever food he obtains, he should honor the ancestors and the gods.
गृहादाहृत्य चाश्नीयादष्टौ ग्रासान् समाहितः
Bringing food from the house, he should eat eight mouthfuls with mindfulness.
स्वाध्यायं सर्वदा कुर्यान्नियच्छेद् वाचमन्यतः
He should always engage in self-study and restrain his speech otherwise.
मुन्यन्नैंर्विविधैर्मेध्यैः शाकमूलफलेन वा
He should subsist on ascetic food, on various pure foods, or on vegetables, roots, and fruits.
सर्वभूतानुकम्पी स्यात् प्रतिग्रहविवर्जितः
He should be compassionate to all beings and avoid accepting gifts.
उत्तरायणं च क्रमशो दक्षस्यायनमेव च
He should observe, in order, the northern and southern solstices.
पुरोडाशांश्चरूंश्चैव विधिवन्निर्वपेत् पृथक्
He should properly offer separately the sacrificial cakes and oblations, according to the rule.
शेषं समुपभुञ्जीत लवणं च स्वयं कृतम्
He should partake of the remainder, and of salt prepared by himself.
भूस्तृणं शिग्रुकं चैव श्लेष्मातकफलानि च
He may use earth, grass, drumstick, and the fruits of the śleṣmātaka tree.
न ग्रामजातान्यार्तो ऽपि पुष्पाणि च फलानि च
He should not, even if afflicted, take flowers or fruits grown in villages.
न द्रुह्येत् सर्वभूतानि निर्द्वन्द्वो निर्भयो भवेत्
He should not harm any beings, and should be free from dualities and fear.
ब्रह्मचारी भवेन्नित्यं न पत्नीमपि संश्रयेत्
He should always remain celibate and not even approach a wife.
तद् व्रतं तस्य लुप्येत प्रायश्चित्तीयते द्विजः
If he breaks that vow, his observance is lost and the twice-born must perform expiation.
न हि वेदे ऽधिकारो ऽस्य तद्वंशेप्येवमेव हि
He has no right to Vedic study, nor do his descendants, just so.
शरण्यः सर्वभूतानां संविभागपरः सदा
He should be a refuge for all beings and always intent on sharing.
एकाग्निरनिकेतः स्यात् प्रोक्षितां भूमिमाश्रयेत्
He should maintain a single sacred fire, have no fixed dwelling, and reside on purified ground.
शिलायां शर्करायां वा शयीत सुसमाहितः
He should sleep, fully composed, on a stone or on gravel.
षण्मासनिचयो वा स्यात् समानिचय एव वा
There may be an accumulation for six months, or even for a year.
जीर्णानि चैव वासांसि शाकमूलफलानि च
And also worn-out garments, as well as leaves, roots, and fruits.
अश्मकुट्टो भवेद् वापि कालपक्वभुगेव वा
He may use a stone for grinding, or eat only what is naturally ripened.
चतुर्थकालिको वा स्यात् स्याद्वाप्यष्टमकालिकः
He may eat once every fourth period, or even once every eighth period.
पक्षे पक्षे समश्नीयाद् यवागूं क्वथितां सकृत्
Every fortnight, he should eat a single meal of boiled barley gruel.
स्वाभाविकैः स्वयं शीर्णैर्वैखानसमते स्थितः
Abiding in the Vaikhānasa way, with what naturally falls of itself.
स्थानासनाभ्यां विहरेन्न क्वचिद् धैर्यमुत्सृजेत्
He should wander, standing or sitting, never abandoning steadfastness.
आर्द्रवासास्तु हेमन्ते क्रमशो वर्धयंस्तपः
In winter, he should wear wet garments, gradually increasing his austerity.
एकपादेन तिष्ठेत मरीचीन् वा पिबेत् तदा
He should stand on one foot, or then subsist on sun-rays.
शीर्णपर्णाशनो वा स्यात् कृच्छ्रैर् वा वर्तयेत् सदा
He may eat fallen leaves, or always live by strict austerities.