Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 111
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
वानप्रस्थानां च द्रव्योपस्कार इति प्रायशः खल्वेते साधवः साधुपथ्योदनाः । स्वाध्यायप्रसंगिनस्तीर्थाभिगमनदेशदर्शनार्थं पृथिवीं पर्यटंति ॥ १११ ॥
vānaprasthānāṃ ca dravyopaskāra iti prāyaśaḥ khalvete sādhavaḥ sādhupathyodanāḥ | svādhyāyaprasaṃginastīrthābhigamanadeśadarśanārthaṃ pṛthivīṃ paryaṭaṃti || 111 ||
Für die Waldbewohner (vānaprastha) besteht ihre „Ausrüstung“ meist nur aus wenigen schlichten Notwendigkeiten; es sind tugendhafte Männer, die sich von heilsamer, dharmagemäßer Speise erhalten. Dem Svādhyāya, dem Studium und der Rezitation, hingegeben, wandern sie über die Erde, um Tīrthas zu besuchen und verschiedene Gegenden zu schauen.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in Moksha-dharma context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It defines vānaprastha as a disciplined, lightly-equipped stage aimed at inner purification—living simply, eating wholesome food, maintaining svādhyāya, and sanctifying life through pilgrimage and sacred travel.
While not naming a deity here, it supports bhakti indirectly by prescribing svādhyāya (recitation of sacred texts) and tīrtha-sevā (pilgrimage), both of which traditionally nourish remembrance of the Divine and cultivate sattva through holy association.
The practical emphasis is on svādhyāya—regular study/recitation that relies on correct pronunciation and textual discipline (linked with Śikṣā and Vyākaraṇa in practice), applied as a daily sādhana for renunciant life.