Shloka 31
Exposition of the Duties of Ascetics
Saṃnyāsa-Dharma
एकान्नं वर्जयेन्नित्यं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम् । एकवासा द्विवासा वा शिखी यज्ञोपवीतवान् । कमंडलुकरो विद्वांस्त्रिदंडो याति तत्परम्
ekānnaṃ varjayennityaṃ kāmaṃ krodhaṃ parigraham | ekavāsā dvivāsā vā śikhī yajñopavītavān | kamaṃḍalukaro vidvāṃstridaṃḍo yāti tatparam
พึงหลีกเลี่ยงการฉันอาหารเพียงชนิดเดียวเป็นนิตย์ และละกาม โทสะ และปริครหะ (ความยึดถือครอบครอง) สวมผ้าหนึ่งผืนหรือสองผืน ไว้ศิขา และสวมยัชโญปวีต ถือกมณฑลุ เป็นบัณฑิต ถือไตรทัณฑ์ แล้วมุ่งไปสู่เป้าหมายสูงสุดนั้นด้วยใจแน่วแน่
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Svarga-khaṇḍa; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame)
Concept: Sannyāsa is safeguarded by inner renunciation (kāma-krodha-parigraha-tyāga) and outer simplicity, aimed at the supreme goal.
Application: Reduce possessions and reactive emotions; keep daily rules simple; choose one spiritual aim and align dress, speech, and consumption to it.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ascetic with a calm, inward gaze walks a forest path toward a distant, radiant Vishnu-temple silhouette, carrying a kamaṇḍalu and tri-daṇḍa. His simple one or two garments flutter lightly; the śikhā and yajñopavīta are visible, while shadowy personifications of kāma, krodha, and parigraha fall away behind him like discarded chains.","primary_figures":["Yati (ascetic)","Allegorical Kāma","Allegorical Krodha","Allegorical Parigraha","Vishnu (as distant supreme goal, symbolic)"],"setting":"Forest-edge pilgrimage path leading toward a luminous shrine on a hill; sparse hermitage elements (kusha grass, small fire-altar remnants).","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["ochre saffron","forest green","smoke gray","conch white","golden light"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene yati with śikhā and yajñopavīta, holding tri-daṇḍa and kamaṇḍalu, walking toward a small Vishnu sanctum glowing with gold leaf; rich vermilion and emerald borders, gem-studded ornaments on the distant Vishnu icon, embossed halos, ornate floral motifs framing the renunciation scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: slender ascetic in simple cloth on a winding path through delicate Himalayan-like foothills; soft washes, lyrical trees, distant temple with a faint Vishnu aura; refined facial features, cool morning mist, subtle allegorical figures of desire and anger dissolving into the landscape.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined yati with tri-daṇḍa and kamaṇḍalu, stylized forest and temple gateway; Vishnu’s presence as a radiant emblem (śaṅkha-cakra) in the sky; natural pigment palette with strong reds, yellows, greens, and characteristic large eyes conveying śānta-rasa.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central path bordered by lotus and tulasi motifs; a small Vishnu/Śrī icon at the top center with deep blue aura; the yati below in saffron tones; intricate floral borders, peacocks at the edges, gold detailing emphasizing the ‘supreme goal’ as a luminous mandala."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","forest birds","gentle wind","distant conch shell","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ekānnaṃ → eka-annam; varjayen(nityaṃ) normalized to varjayet + nityam (sense: ‘should always avoid’). vidvāṃs-tridaṃḍo → vidvān + tri-daṇḍaḥ. tatparam → tat-param.
FAQs
It outlines an ascetic/renunciant discipline: restraining desire, anger, and possessiveness; living simply with minimal clothing; maintaining traditional marks (śikhā, yajñopavīta); and carrying the kamaṇḍalu and tridaṇḍa as signs of disciplined spiritual life.
The core ethical teaching is inner renunciation—overcoming lust, anger, and acquisitiveness—supported by a life of simplicity and focused commitment to the highest spiritual aim.
“Tridaṇḍa” literally means “three staffs” and commonly signifies disciplined control (often understood as body, speech, and mind) and a formal renunciant commitment directed toward liberation or the supreme goal.