nt offerings of clarified
butter in the five well-known Sacrifices.[1006] Four kinds of courses of
conduct have been laid down for observance in the Vanaprastha mode of
life. Some collect only what is needed for the day. Some collect stores
to last for a month. Some store grain and other necessaries sufficient to
last for twelve years. Forest recluses may act in these ways for
worshipping guests and performing sacrifices. They should during the
season of the rains, expose themselves to rain and betake themselves to
water during the autumn. During the summer they should sit in the midst
of four fires with the sun burning overhead. Throughout the year,
however, they should be abstemious in diet.[1007] They sit and sleep on
the bare earth. They stand on only their toes. They content themselves
with the bare earth and with small mats of grass (owning no other
furniture for seat or bed). They perform their ablutions morning, noon,
and evening (preparatory to sacrifices). Some amongst them use only teeth
for cleaning grain. Others use only stones for that purpose.[1008] Some
amongst them drink, only during the lighted fortnight, the gruel of wheat
(or other grain) boiled very lightly.[1009] There are many who drink
similar gruel only during the dark fortnight. Some eat what only comes by
the way (without seeking to obtain it). Some adopting rigid vows, live
upon only roots, some upon only fruits, some upon only flowers, duly
observing the method followed by the Vaikhanasas. These and other diverse
observances are adopted by those men of wisdom and piety. The fourth is
(the mode called Renunciation) based upon the Upanishads. The duties laid
down for it may be observed in all the modes of life equally. This mode
differing from the others comes _after_ domesticity and forest life. In
this very Yuga, O son, many learned Brahmanas conversant with the truths
of all things, have been known to observe this mode. Agastya, the seven
Rishis (viz., Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Vasishtha, Narada, and
Kratu), Madhucchandas, Aghamarshana, Sankriti Sudivatandi who lived
withersoever he pleased and was content to take what came (without ever
seeking for anything),[1010] Ahovirya Kavya, Tandya, the learned
Medhatithi, Karmanirvaka of mighty energy, and Sunyapala who had exerted
himself greatly (for acquiring ascetic puissance) were the authors of
this course of duties, and themselves observing them have all proceeded
to heaven. Many great R