Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 15
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
बिभृयाच्चेन्मुनिर्वास: कौपीनाच्छादनं परम् । त्यक्तं न दण्डपात्राभ्यामन्यत् किञ्चिदनापदि ॥ १५ ॥
bibhṛyāc cen munir vāsaḥ kaupīnācchādanaṁ param tyaktaṁ na daṇḍa-pātrābhyām anyat kiñcid anāpadi
मुनिः चेत् कौपीनातिरिक्तं वासो बिभृयात्, तर्हि कौपीनाच्छादनं परं वस्त्रमुपयुञ्जीत; अनापदि दण्डपात्राभ्यां विना अन्यत् किञ्चिद् न गृह्णीयात्।
A sannyāsī attracted to material possessions will spoil his worship of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
In 11.18.15, Kṛṣṇa says a renunciant should keep only the bare minimum—at most a loincloth and simple covering—and, besides a staff and begging bowl, nothing else unless there is genuine necessity.
Kṛṣṇa is teaching Uddhava the inner and outer standards of renunciation—reducing dependence on objects so the mind can remain fixed on the Supreme without distraction.
Adopt purposeful simplicity: keep what supports dharma and devotion, avoid accumulating non-essentials, and treat “necessity” as truly exceptional rather than habitual comfort.