Shloka 14
हिरण्यपुरवर्णनम्
Description of Hiraṇyapura and the Nivātakavacas
यत्रतत्रशयो नित्यं येन केनचिदाशित: । येन केनचिदाच्छन्न: स गोव्रत इहोच्यते,जो जहाँ कहीं भी सो लेता है, जिस किसी फल-मूल आदिसे भोजनका कार्य चला लेता है तथा वल्कल आदि जिस किसी वस्तुसे भी शरीरको ढक लेता है, वही यहाँ 'गोव्रतधारी” कहलाता है
yatratatraśayo nityaṁ yena kenacid āśitaḥ | yena kenacid ācchannaḥ sa govrata iho cyate ||
Narada said: “He who habitually lies down wherever he happens to be, who sustains himself with whatever food he can obtain, and who covers his body with whatever is available—such a person is here described as one observing the ‘govrata’ (the vow of living like a cow), marked by simplicity, non-attachment, and contentment.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines ‘govrata’ as a discipline of radical simplicity: resting wherever one is, eating whatever is obtainable, and wearing whatever covering is available. Ethically, it trains non-attachment, endurance, and contentment, reducing dependence on comfort and choice.
Nārada is explaining a specific type of vrata (vow/observance) by giving its practical marks. The focus is descriptive—identifying who qualifies as a govrata-observer through conduct rather than lineage or status.