Shloka 16
Āśramadharma and the Marks of the Muni
Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Saṃvāda
तस्मादेनामहं त्यक्त्वा ब्रह्म॒ण्याधाय मानसम् । निर्दन्दो निर्ममो भूत्वा चरिष्यामि मृगै:ः सह,“अतः मैं इस तृष्णाको छोड़कर परब्रह्म परमात्मामें मन लगा द्वन्ध और ममतासे रहित हो वनमें मृगोंके साथ विचरूँगा
tasmād enām ahaṃ tyaktvā brahmaṇy ādhāya mānasam | nirdvandvo nirmamo bhūtvā cariṣyāmi mṛgaiḥ saha ||
“Therefore, abandoning this craving, I shall fix my mind upon Brahman. Free from the pairs of opposites and without possessiveness, I will live in the forest, wandering in the company of the deer.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches renunciation of craving and possessiveness, urging inner steadiness beyond dualities and a contemplative life oriented toward Brahman—an ethical move from desire-driven living to spiritual freedom.
A character (reported by Vaiśampāyana) declares a decisive turn away from worldly longing: he will abandon the craving, concentrate his mind on Brahman, and withdraw to the forest to live simply among wild animals, embodying detachment.