Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 8
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
अग्निहोत्रं च दर्शश्च पौर्णमासश्च पूर्ववत् । चातुर्मास्यानि च मुनेराम्नातानि च नैगमै: ॥ ८ ॥
agnihotraṁ ca darśaś ca paurṇamāsaś ca pūrva-vat cāturmāsyāni ca muner āmnātāni ca naigamaiḥ
വാനപ്രസ്ഥൻ ഗൃഹസ്ഥാശ്രമത്തിൽ ചെയ്തതുപോലെ അഗ്നിഹോത്രം, ദർശം, പൗർണമാസ യാഗങ്ങൾ നടത്തണം. കൂടാതെ വേദജ്ഞന്മാർ വാനപ്രസ്ഥാശ്രമത്തിന് വിധിച്ച ചാതുർമാസ്യ വ്രതങ്ങളും യജ്ഞങ്ങളും ഭക്തിയോടെ ആചരിക്കണം.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura has given a detailed explanation of the four rituals mentioned here, namely agnihotra, darśa, paurṇamāsa and cāturmāsya. The conclusion is that everyone should simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare and avoid the difficult entanglement of Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. If one neither chants Hare Kṛṣṇa nor performs such rituals, one certainly becomes a pāṣaṇḍī, an atheistic fool.
FAQs
This verse states that agnihotra, darśa (new-moon) and paurṇamāsa (full-moon) rites should be performed in the traditional way, following Vedic injunctions.
In the Uddhava-gītā section, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on varṇāśrama-dharma—how prescribed duties and observances are to be followed according to Vedic tradition.
Adopt seasonal vows that increase purity and devotion—simplifying habits, regulating diet and conduct, and dedicating time to sādhana—while keeping the spirit of Vedic discipline and remembrance of the Lord.