Shloka 11
महाभूत–इन्द्रिय–मनस्–बुद्धि–अन्तरात्मा विवेकः | Discrimination of Elements, Senses, Mind, Intellect, and Inner Self
भूमौ विपरिवर्तन्ते तिष्ठन्ति प्रपदैरपि । स्थानासनैवरवर्तयन्ति सवनेष्वभिषिज्चते,वानप्रस्थी महात्मा जमीनपर लोट-पोट करते, पंजोंके बल खड़े होते, एक स्थानपर आसन लगाकर बैठते तथा तीनों काल स्नान और संध्या करते हैं
bhūmau viparivartante tiṣṭhanti prapadair api | sthānāsanair eva vartayanti savaneṣv abhiṣiñcate |
Vyāsa describes the austere discipline of a great-souled forest-dweller (vānaprasthin): he rolls upon the bare earth, stands even on the strength of his forefeet, lives by remaining in fixed postures—standing or seated—and performs the prescribed ablutions at the three daily rites. The passage highlights tapas (self-restraint) as a means of purifying conduct and steadying the mind in accordance with dharma.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
That disciplined austerity—enduring hardship, regulating posture and conduct, and maintaining daily ritual observances—supports purification and steadiness, aligning one’s life with dharma in the forest-dweller stage.
Vyāsa is describing the practices of a mahātmā vānaprasthin: rolling on the ground, standing on the forefeet, remaining in fixed standing/sitting postures, and bathing at the three daily ritual times.