Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 18
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
भिक्षां चतुर्षु वर्णेषु विगर्ह्यान् वर्जयंश्चरेत् । सप्तागारानसङ्क्लृप्तांस्तुष्येल्लब्धेन तावता ॥ १८ ॥
bhikṣāṁ caturṣu varṇeṣu vigarhyān varjayaṁś caret saptāgārān asaṅkḷptāṁs tuṣyel labdhena tāvatā
അശുദ്ധവും അസ്പൃശ്യവും എന്നു നിന്ദിക്കപ്പെടുന്ന വീടുകൾ ഒഴിവാക്കി, ഭിക്ഷകൻ ആവശ്യത്തിന് നാലു വർണങ്ങളിലെയും വീടുകളിലേക്കു പോകാം. മുൻകണക്കില്ലാതെ ഏഴ് വീടുകളിൽ ഭിക്ഷയെടുത്തു ലഭിച്ചതിൽ തന്നെ തൃപ്തനാകണം.
Saintly persons in the renounced order of life may beg from strict followers of Vedic culture to obtain foodstuffs and other bodily necessities. According to Vedic injunction, a renounced saint should beg from the brāhmaṇa community, but if there is danger of his starving, he may beg from kṣatriyas, then vaiśyas, and even śūdras if they are not sinful, as expressed here by the word vigarhyān. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains that asaṅkḷptān indicates that one should not approach certain houses, calculating, “In that place I can get first-class food. That house has a big reputation among beggars.” Without discriminating, one should go to seven houses and be satisfied with whatever may be obtained there. One should beg for one’s personal maintenance only from houses where the inhabitants, being sincere followers of the varṇāśrama culture, have earned their livelihood by honest means and are free from sinful activities. One may beg alms from such householders. One must not beg alms for one’s personal maintenance from those who oppose the Supreme Lord’s devotional service, for such service is the whole purpose of varṇāśrama culture.
FAQs
In Canto 11, Krishna teaches that a renunciant may beg alms from all four varnas, but should avoid blameworthy people, visit at most seven homes, and remain content with whatever is gained without storing or planning for future provisions.
Krishna’s instruction minimizes dependence, distraction, and social entanglement, helping the renunciant maintain humility and focus on bhakti and self-realization rather than comfort, accumulation, or prolonged contact.
Practice non-hoarding and contentment: limit unnecessary consumption, avoid unethical sources of income or support, keep needs simple, and cultivate gratitude for what comes by honest means while prioritizing spiritual practice.