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.
अथर्वशिरसो ऽध्येता वेदान्ताभ्यासतत्परः
He should study the Atharvaśiras, devoted to the practice of Vedānta.
कृष्णाजिनी सोत्तरीयः शुक्लयज्ञोपवीतवान्
Clad in a black antelope skin with an upper garment, and wearing a white sacred thread.
अनग्निरनिकेतः स्यान्मुनिर्मोक्षपरो भवेत्
He should be without fire and without a fixed abode, a sage intent on liberation.
गृहमेधिषु चान्येषु द्विजेषु वनवासिषु
Among householders, other twice-born, and forest-dwellers.
प्रतिगृह्य पुटेनैव पाणिना शकलेन वा
He should receive alms only in the hollow of his hand or with a shard.
विद्याविशेषान् सावित्रीं रुद्राध्यायं तथैव च
He should master special branches of knowledge, the Sāvitrī, and also the Rudra recitation.
अग्निप्रवेशमन्यद् वा ब्रर्ह्मार्पणविधौ स्थितः
He may enter fire, or else remain established in the rite of offering to Brahman.
याति यत्र जगतो ऽस्य संस्थितिः
He goes to where the dissolution of this world takes place.
चतुर्थमायुषो भागं संन्यासेन नयेत् क्रमात्
He should spend the fourth part of his life in renunciation, in due order.
योगाभ्यासरतः शान्तो ब्रह्मविद्यापरायणः
Engaged in the practice of yoga, peaceful, and devoted to the knowledge of Brahman.
तदा संन्यासमिच्छेच्च पतितः स्याद् विपर्यये
At that time, he should desire renunciation; if he acts otherwise, he falls.
दान्तः पक्वकषायो ऽसौ ब्रह्माश्रममुपाश्रयेत्
Self-controlled, with matured passions, he should take refuge in the hermitage of Brahman.
कर्मसंन्यासिनस्त्वन्ये त्रिविधाः परिकीर्तिताः
But others who renounce action are said to be of three kinds.
प्रोच्यते ज्ञानसंन्यासी स्वात्मन्येव व्यवस्थितः
He is called a renouncer of knowledge who abides solely in his own self.
प्रोच्यते वेदसंन्यासी मुमुक्षुर्विजितेन्द्रियः
He is called a renouncer of the Vedas, desiring liberation and having conquered his senses.
ज्ञेयः स कर्मसंन्यासी महायज्ञपरायणः
He should be known as a renouncer of action, devoted to the great sacrifices.
न तस्य विद्यते कार्यं न लिङ्गं वा विपश्चितः
For him, the wise, there is no prescribed duty nor any external mark.
जीर्णकौपीनवासाः स्यान्नग्नो वा ध्यानतत्परः
He may wear old loincloths or be naked, intent on meditation.
अध्यात्ममतिरासीत निरपेक्षो निरामिषः
He should have his mind set on the Self, be indifferent, and free from desire.
नाभिनन्देत मरणं नाभिनन्देत जीवितम्
He should neither welcome death nor long for life.