Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 12
अग्निमात्मनि चाधाय विचरेदनिकेतनः । भिक्षयेत्प्राणयात्रार्थं तापसान्वनवासिनः
agnimātmani cādhāya vicaredaniketanaḥ | bhikṣayetprāṇayātrārthaṃ tāpasānvanavāsinaḥ
Ayant allumé en lui-même le feu sacré, il doit errer sans demeure fixe; et, pour la seule subsistance du souffle vital, il peut mendier auprès des ascètes vivant dans la forêt.
Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa commonly Skanda → Agastya)
Scene: A wandering ascetic with no dwelling, carrying a staff and water-pot, a subtle flame-like aura at the heart symbolizing inner fire; he approaches a forest hermitage to request alms modestly, receiving a small portion.
FAQs
True renunciation is inward—carrying the sacred fire as inner discipline—while living lightly and without attachment to residence or possessions.
It is framed within the Kāśī Khaṇḍa’s sacred ethos, presenting the renunciant model suitable for seekers in or oriented toward Kāśī.
Bhikṣā is permitted only for prāṇa-yātrā—minimal sustenance—reflecting restraint rather than dependence.