Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 3

Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal

Devanagari script

केशरोमनखश्मश्रुमलानि बिभृयाद् दत: । न धावेदप्सु मज्जेत त्रिकालं स्थण्डिलेशय: ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

keśa-roma-nakha-śmaśru- malāni bibhṛyād dataḥ na dhāved apsu majjeta tri kālaṁ sthaṇḍile-śayaḥ

Translation

A vānaprastha should not groom the hair of his head, body, or face, nor trim his nails, nor make special endeavor for dental care. He should evacuate regularly, bathe in water three times daily, and sleep upon the bare ground.

Synonyms

• केश-रोम-नख-श्मश्रु-मलानि: hair, body-hair, nails, beard, and impurities
• केश-रोम-नख-श्मश्रु-मलानि: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केश (प्रातिपदिक) + रोम (प्रातिपदिक) + नख (प्रातिपदिक) + श्मश्रु (प्रातिपदिक) + मल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (list of items)

• बिभृयात्: should bear/keep (i.e., not remove)
• बिभृयात्: Kriya (क्रिया/prescription)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• दतः: with teeth (intact)
• दतः: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दत (प्रातिपदिक; ‘with teeth’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (of the ascetic); ‘दन्तयुक्तः’

• न: not
• न: Nipata (निपात/negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• धावेत्: should wash/cleanse
• धावेत्: Kriya (क्रिया/prescription)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धाव् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• अप्सु: in water
• अप्सु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी, बहुवचन (irregular stem अप्)

• मज्जेत्: should bathe/immerse
• मज्जेत्: Kriya (क्रिया/prescription)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मज्ज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• त्रि: three (times)
• त्रि: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: त्रि (अव्यय/संख्यावाचक)
• Form: अव्यय; संख्यावाचक (numeral used adverbially)

• कालम्: time; (here) times
• कालम्: Karma (कर्म/extent of time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; काल-परिमाण (measure of time)

• स्थण्डिले-शयः: one who sleeps on bare ground
• स्थण्डिले-शयः: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थण्डिल (प्रातिपदिक) + शय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषः (स्थण्डिले शयः = one who lies on the ground)

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Mahārāja Parīkṣit

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the lifestyle of a renunciant (sannyāsī)?

This verse describes austere simplicity: avoiding grooming for appearance, not bathing with indulgent scrubbing, living with minimal comforts, and maintaining strict daily discipline.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī teach these austerities to Mahārāja Parīkṣit?

In Canto 11, Śukadeva summarizes dharma and renunciation to guide Parīkṣit toward liberation and unwavering spiritual focus, especially as he prepares for death by hearing the Lord’s glories.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life without imitating extreme austerity?

Adopt the principle: reduce vanity and excess, keep life simple, maintain steady daily spiritual practice, and use cleanliness and comfort as supports for devotion—not as distractions.