Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 24
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
पुरग्रामव्रजान्सार्थान् भिक्षार्थं प्रविशंश्चरेत् । पुण्यदेशसरिच्छैलवनाश्रमवतीं महीम् ॥ २४ ॥
pura-grāma-vrajān sārthān bhikṣārthaṁ praviśaṁś caret puṇya-deśa-saric-chaila- vanāśrama-vatīṁ mahīm
Le sage doit voyager dans les lieux sanctifiés, le long des rivières, et dans la solitude des montagnes et des forêts. Il n’entrera dans les villes, villages et pâturages que pour mendier sa simple subsistance.
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, the word pura refers to cities and towns with shopping centers, markets and other commercial enterprises, whereas grāma refers to smaller towns, lacking such facilities. The vānaprastha or sannyāsī trying to become free from material attachment should avoid those who are working day and night for sense gratification, approaching them only to engage them in necessary acts of charity. Those who are preaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world are understood to be liberated souls, and therefore they constantly approach the materialistic living entities to engage them in the devotional service of Lord Kṛṣṇa. However, even such preachers should strictly avoid contact with the materialistic world when not actually necessary for advancing the mission of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The injunction is that one should not deal unnecessarily with the materialistic world.
FAQs
This verse says a renunciant may wander and enter towns, villages, and other settlements specifically to obtain alms, living simply without dependence on fixed arrangements.
In the Uddhava-gītā section, Kṛṣṇa teaches the disciplines of renunciation: traveling through sacred rivers, mountains, forests, and āśramas supports detachment, purity, and steady remembrance of the Lord.
Live with simplicity and reduced dependence, and regularly seek spiritually uplifting environments—pilgrimage, satsanga, retreats, or time in nature—to strengthen remembrance of God and inner discipline.