Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 57
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
गोचारिणो<5थाश्मकुट्टा दन्तोलूखलिकास्तथा । मरीचिपा: फेनपाश्चव तथैव मृगचारिण:
gocāriṇo ’tha aśmakuṭṭā dantolūkhalikās tathā | marīcipāḥ phenapāś ca tathaiva mṛgacāriṇaḥ ||
Wika ni Vāsudeva: “May ilan na tumanggap ng panatang maglingkod sa mga baka, at namuhay at gumala kasama ng mga baka. Ang iba’y nabubuhay sa pagkaing dinurog sa bato; ang ilan pa nga’y ginagamit ang kanilang mga ngipin na parang almires at pambayo. May mga nabubuhay sa pag-inom ng sinag ng araw at ng bula; at gayundin, maraming pantas ang tumanggap ng panatang mamuhay na gaya ng usa, gumagala kasama ng mga usa.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the diversity and extremity of ascetic vows—living with cows, subsisting on minimally processed food, or even on rays and foam—underscoring ideals of self-control, simplicity, and disciplined restraint as recognized forms of dharmic practice.
Vāsudeva is describing various groups of sages/ascetics and the distinctive vows they follow, illustrating different modes of austere living and how some renunciants model their lifestyle on animals (cows or deer) or on highly reduced forms of sustenance.