Duties of Sannyasa asrama

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Sri Narada Muni has been describing the symptoms of various asramas and

varnas. Now, in this chapter, he specifically describes the regulative

principles to be followed by sannyasis. After retiring from family life, one

should accept the status of vanaprastha, in which he must formally accept

the body as his means of existence but gradually forget the bodily

necessities of life. After vanaprastha life, having left home, one should

travel to different places as a sannyasi. Without bodily comforts and free

from dependence on anyone with respect to bodily necessities, one should

travel everywhere, wearing almost nothing or actually walking naked. Without

association with ordinary human society, one should beg alms and always be

satisfied in himself. One should be a friend to every living entity and be

very peaceful in Krsna consciousness. A sannyasi should travel alone in this

way, not caring for life or death, waiting for the time when he will leave

his material body. He should not indulge in unnecessary books or adopt

professions like astrology, nor should he try to become a great orator. He

should also give up the path of unnecessary argument and should not depend

on anyone under any circumstances. He should not try to allure people into

becoming his disciples just so that the number of his disciples may

increase. He should give up the habit of reading many books as a means of

livelihood, and he should not attempt to increase the number of temples and

mathas, or monasteries. When a sannyasi thus becomes completely independent,

peaceful and equipoised, he can select the destination he desires after

death and follow the principles by which to reach that destination. Although

fully learned, he should always remain silent, like a dumb person, and

travel like a restless child.

 

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