z:\ ambedkar\vol 04\vol4 05.indd MK SJ DK YS 23 9 2013/YS 8 11 2013 212
212 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
The Code for Vanaprastha The Code for Sannyasi
“In summer let him expose himself to the heat of five fires, during the rainy season live under the open sky, and in winter be dressed in wet clothes, (thus) gradually increasing (the rigour of) his austerities.” VI-23.
“When he bathes at the three Savanas (Sunrise, midday and Sunset), let him offer libations of water to the manes and the gods, and practising harsher and harsher austerities, let him dry up his bodily frame.” VI-24.
“Having reposited the three sacred fires in himself, according to the prescribed rule, let him live without a fire, without a house wholly silent, subsisting on roots and fruit.” VI-25.
“Making no effort (to procure) things that give pleasure, chaste, sleeping on the bare ground, not caring for any shelter, dwelling at the roots of trees. VI-26.
“From Brahmanas (who live as) ascetics let him receive alms, (barely sufficient) to support life, or from other householders of the twice-born (castes) who reside in the forest.” VI-27.
“Or (the hermit who dwells in the forest) may bring food from a village, receiving it either in a hollow dish (of leaves), in (his naked) hand, or in a broken earthen dish, and may eat eight mouthfuls.” VI-28
“When by the disposition (of his heart) he becomes indifferent to all objects, he obtains eternal happiness both in this world and after death.” Ch. VI-80.
“ He who has in this manner gradually given up all attachments and is freed from all the pairs (of opposites), reposes in Brahman alone.” Ch. VI-81.
“All that has been declared (above) depends on meditation; for he who is not proficient in the knowledge of that which refers to the Soul reaps not the full reward of the performance of rites.” Ch. VI-82.
“Let him constantly recite (those texts) of the Veda which refer to the sacrifice, (those) referring to the deities, and (those) which treat of the Soul and are contained in the concluding portions of the Veda (Vedanta).” Ch. VI-83.
“That is the refuge of the ignorant, and even that (the refuge) of those who know (the meaning of the Veda); that is (the protection) of those who seek (bliss in) heaven and of those who seek endless (beatitude).” Ch. VI-84.
“A twice-born man who becomes an ascetic, after the successive performance of the abovementioned acts, shakes off sin here below and reaches the highest Brahman.” Ch. VI-85.