Shloka 20
Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity
अग्न्यर्थमेव शरणमुटजं वाद्रिकन्दरम् । श्रयेत हिमवाय्वग्निवर्षार्कातपषाट्स्वयम् ॥ २० ॥
agny-artham eva śaraṇam uṭajaṁ vādri-kandaram śrayeta hima-vāyv-agni- varṣārkātapa-ṣāṭ svayam
વાનપ્રસ્થએ પવિત્ર અગ્નિ માટે જ ઝૂંપડી કે પર્વતની ગુફાનો આશ્રય લેવો. પરંતુ પોતે હિમવર્ષા, પવન, અગ્નિ, વરસાદ અને સૂર્યતાપ સહન કરવાની સાધના કરવી.
FAQs
This verse teaches that one should generally endure natural hardships—cold, wind, heat, rain, and sun—accepting shelter only when necessary (such as for maintaining the sacred fire), cultivating tapasya and detachment.
In Canto 7, Nārada explains varṇāśrama-dharma to guide righteous governance and spiritual progress; these principles train self-control and purity, which support devotion and dharma in society.
Practice voluntary simplicity: reduce unnecessary comforts, build tolerance and resilience, and accept inconvenience without complaint—while keeping spiritual duties (japa, study, service) steady and central.