Shloka 17
Exposition of the Duties of Ascetics
Saṃnyāsa-Dharma
भैक्ष्येण वर्तयेन्नित्यं नैकान्नादी भवेत्क्वच्चित् । यस्तु मोहेन वान्यस्मादेकान्नादी भवेद्यतिः
bhaikṣyeṇa vartayennityaṃ naikānnādī bhavetkvaccit | yastu mohena vānyasmādekānnādī bhavedyatiḥ
भैक्ष्येणैव नित्यं वर्तेत, कदाचन नैकान्नादी भवेत्। यतिस्तु मोहेन वा अन्यहेतोर्वा एकान्नादी भवति चेत् स दोषभाग्॥
Unspecified (narrative injunction in Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: A renunciant must live by alms without forming exclusive dependence on a single house; attachment disguised as routine is spiritual delusion.
Application: Avoid ‘single-source’ dependency that creates obligation and bias; cultivate gratitude while keeping boundaries; rotate supports and keep motives transparent.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A wandering yati with a begging bowl walks a sunlit lane, receiving small portions from several doorways—grains, fruit, and water—never lingering at any one threshold. A faint shadow of Māyā is shown as a subtle chain near one wealthy house, illustrating the danger of exclusive dependence.","primary_figures":["Vaishnava yati (with kamaṇḍalu and pātra)","householders (multiple)","symbolic Māyā (subtle motif)"],"setting":"Village street with mud-plastered homes, threshold rangoli, a small shrine niche with Viṣṇu lamp.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["earth brown","saffron","indigo shadow","rice-white","brass-gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: yati with vertical tilaka holding pātra and kamaṇḍalu, receiving alms from multiple households in a single framed procession; gold leaf on brass vessels and shrine lamp, rich reds/greens, ornate borders, devotional clarity emphasizing aparigraha.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle village lane, delicate figures at several doorways offering small portions; cool palette with refined linework, lyrical trees and distant hills, subtle narrative symbolism of attachment as a faint chain motif.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized houses and figures; yati centered, multiple hands offering alms; red/yellow/green pigments, temple-wall composition, didactic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: procession-like bhikṣā scene framed by floral borders and lotus motifs; deep blue ground with gold highlights; small shrine elements and peacocks at corners, emphasizing humility and devotional wandering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft footsteps","clink of begging bowl","door creaks","low village murmur","distant conch from temple"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्तयेन्नित्यं = वर्तयेत् नित्यम्; नैकान्नादी = न एकान्नादी; भवेत्क्वच्चित् = भवेत् क्वचित्; यस्तु = यः तु; वान्यस्माद् = वा अन्यस्मात्; भवेद्यतिः = भवेत् यतिः.
FAQs
The verse prescribes living on bhikṣā (alms) and avoiding dependence on a single household for food.
It refers to an ascetic who habitually eats from only one source/household, creating attachment, obligation, or dependence—considered improper for renunciation.
Maintain non-attachment and independence: a renunciant should avoid exclusive patronage and live in a way that minimizes ties, favoritism, and worldly dependence.