Shloka 58
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
अश्वत्थफलभक्षाश्व तथा हुदकशायिन: । चीरचर्माम्बरधरास्तथा वल्कलधारिण:,कोई पीपलके फल खाकर रहते, कोई जलमें ही सोते तथा कुछ लोग चीर, वल्कल और मृगचर्म धारण करते थे
aśvatthaphalabhakṣāś ca tathā udakaśāyinaḥ | cīracarmāmbaradharās tathā valkaladhāriṇaḥ ||
Vāsudeva berkata: “Sebagian hidup dengan memakan buah pohon aśvattha (beringin suci); sebagian tidur berbaring di dalam air; dan sebagian mengenakan pakaian dari kain compang-camping, serat kulit kayu, serta kulit rusa.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores tapas (austerity) and aparigraha-like restraint: ethical strength is cultivated by minimizing bodily indulgence and possessions, adopting simple sustenance and humble clothing to support inner discipline.
Vāsudeva is describing different groups of ascetics and their rigorous lifestyles—some living on aśvattha fruits, some sleeping in water, and others wearing rags, bark, and deerskin—illustrating the range of renunciant observances present in the setting.