Shloka 56
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
वाय्वाहारैरम्बुपैर्जप्यनित्यै: सम्प्रक्षालैयोंगिभिर्ध्याननित्यै: । धूमप्राशैरूष्मपै: क्षीरपैश्न संजुष्टं च ब्राह्मणेन्द्रै: समन्तात्
vāyvāhārair ambupair japyānityaiḥ samprakṣālair yogibhir dhyānanityaiḥ | dhūmaprāśair ūṣmapaiḥ kṣīrapaiś ca saṃjuṣṭaṃ ca brāhmaṇendraiḥ samantāt ||
そこは四方を卓越したバラモンたちに囲まれていた。ある者は風のみを糧とし、ある者は水を飲んで命をつないだ。ある者は聖なる真言の誦持に絶えず励んだ。ある修行者は内なる浄化の戒律によって心を洗い、ヨーギーたちは常に禅定に没入していた。ほかには供犠の火の煙を食とする者、苦行の熱を身に受ける者、乳のみで生きる者もいた—それぞれが克己と自制を、ダルマの目に見える証として実践していたのである。
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed through disciplined living: restraint in food and comfort, steady japa and meditation, and inner purification. It presents multiple legitimate ascetic modes, emphasizing sincerity and self-control rather than a single uniform practice.
Vāsudeva describes a place (or setting) densely inhabited by eminent Brahmins and yogins. He lists the varied austerities they practice—living on air, water, milk, sacrificial smoke, or heat—along with constant japa, meditation, and mental purification.