Shloka 15
Exposition of the Duties of Ascetics
Saṃnyāsa-Dharma
मुंडी शिखी वाथ भवेत्त्रिदंडी निष्परिग्रहः । काषायवासाः सततं ध्यानयोगपरायणः
muṃḍī śikhī vātha bhavettridaṃḍī niṣparigrahaḥ | kāṣāyavāsāḥ satataṃ dhyānayogaparāyaṇaḥ
അവൻ മുണ്ഡിതനായിരിക്കട്ടെ, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ശിഖാധാരിയായിരിക്കട്ടെ, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ത്രിദണ്ഡധാരിയായിരിക്കട്ടെ; നിഷ്പരിഗ്രഹിയായി കാഷായവസ്ത്രം ധരിച്ചു എപ്പോഴും ധ്യാനയോഗത്തിൽ പരായണനായിരിക്കട്ടെ.
Unspecified (narrative injunction within Svargakhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Adopt renunciant discipline—minimal possessions, ochre robes, and unwavering commitment to meditation-yoga—regardless of external style (shaven, topknot, or tridaṇḍin).
Application: Reduce clutter and commitments that fragment attention; keep a daily meditation/japa routine; let external identity be secondary to inner steadiness and ethical restraint.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tridaṇḍin renouncer stands near a small forest shrine, holding the triple staff upright, ochre robes flowing in a gentle breeze. Nearby, alternate renunciant forms are subtly suggested—one figure with a śikhā, another shaven-headed—forming a quiet triad that converges in shared meditation before a simple Viṣṇu symbol (śālagrāma on a pedestal).","primary_figures":["tridaṇḍin renouncer","two ascetic variants (śikhī and muṇḍī)","Viṣṇu symbol (śālagrāma/altar)"],"setting":"forest-edge shrine with a stone pedestal, a small oil lamp, and a meditation seat under a tree","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["kāṣāya saffron","lamp gold","deep forest green","stone gray","crimson accent"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central tridaṇḍin in ochre with ornate gold leaf halo, triple staff highlighted with gold, śālagrāma on a pedestal with gem-like embellishments, rich reds and greens in the border, traditional iconographic symmetry and devotional gravitas.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined ascetic figures with delicate facial features, cool forest palette, lyrical naturalism in leaves and breeze-touched robes, a small shrine with a glowing lamp, subtle emphasis on stillness and dhyāna.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized tridaṇḍa and robes in strong saffron, large expressive eyes, shrine lamp rendered in bright yellow, red/green background bands, temple-wall solemnity emphasizing aparigraha and meditation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central ascetic with tridaṇḍa framed by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs, deep blue background with gold highlights, a small śālagrāma altar at center bottom, peacocks and vines subdued to keep the mood contemplative."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bell","oil lamp crackle","forest breeze","soft conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vātha = vā + atha; bhavettridaṃḍī = bhavet + tridaṃḍī (t+t→tt).
FAQs
These are outward markers of renunciation: shaving the head, keeping a topknot, or carrying the triple staff—each indicating an ascetic commitment and regulated conduct.
It stresses inner discipline through constant dedication to dhyāna-yoga (meditative absorption), supported by non-attachment (niṣparigraha) and a renunciant lifestyle.
It teaches restraint and freedom from clinging—reducing greed and egoism—so the practitioner can focus on spiritual practice rather than accumulation.