Shloka 456
Pratyakṣa–Āgama–Ācāra: Doubt, Proof, and the Practice of Dharma (प्रत्यक्ष–आगम–आचारविचारः)
देहं चानशने त्यक्त्वा स स्वर्गे सुखमेधते । जो वानप्रस्थ अपने चारों ओर विशुद्ध आकाशको ग्रहण करता हुआ खुले मैदानमें वेदीपर सोता और बारह वर्षोके लिये प्रसन्नतापूर्वक व्रतकी दीक्षा ले उपवास करके अपना शरीर त्याग देता है, वह स्वर्गलोकमें सुख भोगता है
dehaṃ cānaśane tyaktvā sa svarge sukham edhate |
Maheśvara declares that one who relinquishes the body through fasting—having undertaken the austere discipline of a forest-dweller (vānaprastha) and maintaining a pure, open-air mode of life—attains heaven and enjoys happiness there. The ethical emphasis is on disciplined renunciation and steadfast observance of vows as a dharmic means to higher worlds.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that disciplined renunciation—specifically giving up the body through fasting undertaken as a vowed ascetic practice—yields a meritorious result: attainment of heaven and enjoyment of happiness there. It frames self-control and steadfast vrata-observance as dharmic means to higher posthumous states.
Śrīmaheśvara is speaking, describing the फल (result) of an austere practice: a person who abandons the body by fasting (anaśana) is said to prosper in svarga. The surrounding prose in the provided text elaborates this as a forest-dweller’s vow and austerity culminating in heavenly reward.