Shloka 27
Nārada Instructs Dakṣa’s Sons; Allegory of the World; Dakṣa Curses Nārada
अब्भक्षा: कतिचिन्मासान् कतिचिद्वायुभोजना: । आराधयन् मन्त्रमिममभ्यस्यन्त इडस्पतिम् ॥ २७ ॥ ॐ नमो नारायणाय पुरुषाय महात्मने । विशुद्धसत्त्वधिष्ण्याय महाहंसाय धीमहि ॥ २८ ॥
ab-bhakṣāḥ katicin māsān katicid vāyu-bhojanāḥ ārādhayan mantram imam abhyasyanta iḍaspatim
कतिचिन्मासानब्भक्षाः कतिचिद्वायुभोजनाः। मन्त्रमिमं जपन्तोऽर्चन् इडस्पतिं महत्तपः॥
From these verses it is apparent that the chanting of the mahā-mantra or the Vedic mantras must be accompanied by severe austerities. In Kali-yuga, people cannot undergo severe austerities like those mentioned herein — drinking only water and eating only air for many months. One cannot imitate such a process. But at least one must undergo some austerity by giving up four unwanted principles, namely illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. Anyone can easily practice this tapasya, and then the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra will be effective without delay. One should not give up the process of austerity. If possible, one should bathe in the waters of the Ganges or Yamunā, or in the absence of the Ganges and Yamunā one may bathe in the water of the sea. This is an item of austerity. Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement has therefore established two very large centers, one in Vṛndāvana and another in Māyāpur, Navadvīpa. There one may bathe in the Ganges or Yamunā, chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and thus become perfect and return home, back to Godhead.
FAQs
This verse describes disciplined austerity—living on water and even air—while steadily practicing a sacred mantra, showing that tapasya supports focused devotion and purification.
They were undertaking regulated austerity as part of their spiritual practice, intensifying remembrance of the Supreme Lord through repeated mantra recitation.
Adopt moderate, sustainable restraint (simple diet, reduced distractions) and consistent daily mantra japa to build steadiness, clarity, and devotion.