t follows it should not reside in one place for more than one day.
Desirous of achieving emancipation, the followers of this Religion free
themselves from the bonds of hope (or desire). They have no attachment to
habitation, to the Kamandalu they bear for keeping water, to the robes
that cover their loins, or the seat whereupon they rest, or the triple
stick they bear in their hands, or the bed they sleep on, or the fire
they want, or the chamber that houses them. A follower of this Religion
sets his heart upon the workings of his soul. His mind is devoted to
Supreme Brahman. He is filled with the idea of attaining to Brahman. He
is always devoted to Yoga and the Sankhya Philosophy. He desires no other
shelter than the foot of a tree. He houses himself in empty abodes of
men. He sleeps on the banks of rivers. He takes pleasure in staying by
such banks. He is freed from every attachment, and from every tie of
affection. He merges the existence of his own soul into the Supreme Soul.
Standing like a stake of wood, and abstaining from all food he does only
such acts as point to Emancipation. Or, he may wander about, devoted to
Yoga. Even these are the eternal duties of a follower of the Religion of
Nivritti. He lives aloof from his species. He is freed from all
attachments. He never resides in the same place for more than a day.
Freed from all bonds he roves over the world. Emancipated from all ties,
he never sleeps on even the same river-bank for more than a day. Even
this is the religion of persons conversant with Emancipation as declared
in the Vedas. Even this is the righteous path that is trodden by the
righteous. He who follows in this track leaves no vestige behind.
Bhikshus (or followers of the religion of Emancipation) are of four
kinds. They are Kutichakas, Vahudakas, Hansas, and Paramahansas. The
second is superior to the first, the third to the second, and the fourth
to the third. There is nothing superior to the Paramahansa; nor is there
anything inferior to it or beside it or before it. It is a condition that
is divested of sorrow and happiness; that is auspicious and freed from
decrepitude and death and that knows no change."[563]

"'"'Uma said, "Thou hast recited the religion of the householders, that of
Emancipation, and that which is based upon the observances of the
righteous. These paths are high and exceedingly beneficial to the world
of living creatures. O thou that art conversant with every religion, I