Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 15
Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal
बिभृयाच्चेन्मुनिर्वास: कौपीनाच्छादनं परम् । त्यक्तं न दण्डपात्राभ्यामन्यत् किञ्चिदनापदि ॥ १५ ॥
bibhṛyāc cen munir vāsaḥ kaupīnācchādanaṁ param tyaktaṁ na daṇḍa-pātrābhyām anyat kiñcid anāpadi
Nếu vị sannyāsī muốn mặc thứ gì ngoài chiếc kaupīna, có thể dùng thêm một mảnh vải quấn quanh eo để che phủ; còn nếu không có tình huống khẩn cấp, người ấy không nên nhận gì ngoài cây daṇḍa và bình nước (kamandalu).
A sannyāsī attracted to material possessions will spoil his worship of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
In 11.18.15, Kṛṣṇa says a renunciant should keep only the bare minimum—at most a loincloth and simple covering—and, besides a staff and begging bowl, nothing else unless there is genuine necessity.
Kṛṣṇa is teaching Uddhava the inner and outer standards of renunciation—reducing dependence on objects so the mind can remain fixed on the Supreme without distraction.
Adopt purposeful simplicity: keep what supports dharma and devotion, avoid accumulating non-essentials, and treat “necessity” as truly exceptional rather than habitual comfort.