Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 36
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
य: प्रव्रज्य गृहात्पूर्वं त्रिवर्गावपनात्पुन: । यदि सेवेत तान्भिक्षु: स वै वान्ताश्यपत्रप: ॥ ३६ ॥
yaḥ pravrajya gṛhāt pūrvaṁ tri-vargāvapanāt punaḥ yadi seveta tān bhikṣuḥ sa vai vāntāśy apatrapaḥ
ผู้ที่ถือบวชเป็นสันยาสีแล้วกลับไปหมกมุ่นในทางโลก (ธรรมะ, อรรถะ, กามะ) เปรียบเสมือนผู้ที่กลืนกินอาเจียนของตนเอง เป็นผู้ไร้ยางอาย
Materialistic activities are regulated by the institution of varṇāśrama-dharma. Without varṇāśrama-dharma, materialistic activities constitute animal life. Yet even in human life, while observing the principles of varṇa and āśrama — brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa — one must ultimately accept sannyāsa, the renounced order, for only by the renounced order can one be situated in brahma-sukha, or transcendental bliss. In brahma-sukha one is no longer attracted by lusty desires. Indeed, when one is no longer disturbed, especially by lusty desires for sexual indulgence, he is fit to become a sannyāsī. Otherwise, one should not accept the sannyāsa order. If one accepts sannyāsa at an immature stage, there is every possibility of his being attracted by women and lusty desires and thus again becoming a so-called gṛhastha or a victim of women. Such a person is most shameless, and he is called vāntāśī, or one who eats that which he has already vomited. He certainly leads a condemned life. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement it is advised, therefore, that the sannyāsīs and brahmacārīs keep strictly aloof from the association of women so that there will be no chance of their falling down again as victims of lusty desires.
FAQs
This verse says that if a bhikṣu renounces worldly goals but later goes back to serving dharma-artha-kāma for material motives, he is shameless—compared to eating what one has vomited.
Prahlāda stresses the seriousness of genuine renunciation: returning to the very attachments one rejected is not a small slip, but a degrading reversal that shows lack of inner detachment.
Be honest about your spiritual commitments: if you’ve chosen a path of restraint and devotion, avoid returning to old compulsions and rationalizing them; strengthen sādhana and seek uplifting association.