Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 2
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
कन्दमूलफलैर्वन्यैर्मेध्यैर्वृत्तिं प्रकल्पयेत् । वसीत वल्कलं वासस्तृणपर्णाजिनानि वा ॥ २ ॥
kanda-mūla-phalair vanyair medhyair vṛttiṁ prakalpayet vasīta valkalaṁ vāsas tṛṇa-parṇājināni vā
Nachdem man den vānaprastha-Stand angenommen hat, soll man seinen Lebensunterhalt durch reine Waldknollen, Wurzeln und Früchte bestreiten. Als Kleidung kann man Baumrinde, Gras, Blätter oder Tierfelle tragen.
A renounced sage in the forest does not kill animals, but rather acquires skins from animals who have suffered natural death. According to a passage from Manu-saṁhitā, quoted by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, the word medhyaiḥ, or “pure,” indicates that while residing in the forest a sage may not accept honey-based liquors, animal flesh, fungus, mushrooms, horseradish or any hallucinogenic or intoxicating herbs, even those taken as so-called medicine.
FAQs
This verse teaches that a renunciant should maintain life with pure forest foods like roots and fruits and wear minimal natural clothing such as bark, grass, leaves, or skin—cultivating simplicity and detachment.
In the Uddhava Gītā section, Krishna instructs Uddhava on varṇāśrama-dharma and the path of renunciation, describing practical standards of austere living that support spiritual focus.
Adopt the principle of minimalism: choose simple, pure food, reduce unnecessary consumption, and keep possessions and comforts moderate so the mind remains available for sādhana, remembrance of God, and service.