Shloka 4
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History
तत्राप्यदाभ्यनियमो वैखानससुसम्मते । आरब्ध उग्रतपसि यथा स्वविजये पुरा ॥ ४ ॥
tatrāpy adābhya-niyamo vaikhānasa-susammate ārabdha ugra-tapasi yathā sva-vijaye purā
There, Mahārāja Pṛthu unwaveringly followed the Vaikhānasa-approved disciplines of vānaprastha life and undertook severe austerities in the forest. He pursued them with the same gravity with which he had formerly governed and conquered.
As it is necessary for one to become very active in family life, similarly, after retirement from family life, it is necessary to control the mind and senses. This is possible when one engages himself fully in the devotional service of the Lord. Actually the whole purpose of the Vedic system, the Vedic social order, is to enable one to ultimately return home, back to Godhead. The gṛhastha-āśrama is a sort of concession combining sense gratification with a regulative life. It is to enable one to easily retire in the middle of life and engage fully in austerities in order to transcend material sense gratification once and for all. Therefore in the vānaprastha stage of life, tapasya, or austerity, is strongly recommended. Mahārāja Pṛthu followed exactly all the rules of vānaprastha life, which is technically known as vaikhānasa-āśrama. The word vaikhānasa-susammate is significant because in vānaprastha life the regulative principles are also to be strictly followed. In other words, Mahārāja Pṛthu was an ideal character in every sphere of life. Mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ: one should follow in the footsteps of great personalities. Thus by following the exemplary character of Mahārāja Pṛthu, one can become perfect in all respects while living this life or while retiring from active life. Thus after giving up this body, one can become liberated and go back to Godhead.
FAQs
This verse shows that when guided by authorized saintly tradition (Vaikhānasa), intense austerity can be a disciplined, purposeful step toward spiritual realization rather than mere self-torture.
After completing his royal duties, Pṛthu turned inward for spiritual progress; therefore he adopted a forest-sage standard of regulated life, endorsed by the Vaikhānasa authorities.
Adopt consistent, sustainable vows—daily sādhana, ethical restraint, and simplified living—under guidance of bona fide teachings, and keep them steady even when circumstances change.