Shloka 57
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
गोचारिणो<5थाश्मकुट्टा दन्तोलूखलिकास्तथा । मरीचिपा: फेनपाश्चव तथैव मृगचारिण:
gocāriṇo ’tha aśmakuṭṭā dantolūkhalikās tathā | marīcipāḥ phenapāś ca tathaiva mṛgacāriṇaḥ ||
ヴァースデーヴァは言った。「ある者は牛に仕える誓願を立て、牛の群れとともに住み、ともに歩いた。ある者は石で挽いた食を口にし、ある者は歯を臼と杵のごとく用いた。ある者は日光の光線や水の泡を“飲んで”命をつなぎ、また多くの聖仙は鹿のごとく生きる誓いを受け、鹿の群れとともに野を巡った。」
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the diversity and extremity of ascetic vows—living with cows, subsisting on minimally processed food, or even on rays and foam—underscoring ideals of self-control, simplicity, and disciplined restraint as recognized forms of dharmic practice.
Vāsudeva is describing various groups of sages/ascetics and the distinctive vows they follow, illustrating different modes of austere living and how some renunciants model their lifestyle on animals (cows or deer) or on highly reduced forms of sustenance.