Vanaprastha

The Third Ashrama - "Vanaprastha" or the Hermit Stage

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Vanaprastha mode of life, he maketh his ancestors and the successors, numbering ten generations including himself, mix with the Divine essence. '

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose Adi Parva Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli

Inviting to this home, O Bharata, persons that have betaken themselves to that Vanaprastha and other modes of life, and treating them with food, constitute the domestic duties of a king.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli

Brahmacharya, and the Vanaprastha modes of life, are soon acquired by a king by only protecting his subjects righteously.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli

That king who gives unto persons leading a Vanaprastha mode of life and unto

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli

A learned man should adopt the Vanaprastha mode of life after performance of the necessary rites, when he hath been able to control his appetites for enjoyment and desire of acquiring valuable possessions.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose Adi Parva Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli

Leading in righteousness the life of a Vanaprastha in the woods, illustrious Pandu hath thus revived the almost extinct line of his grandfather.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose Adi Parva Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli

The third part of his life he should pass in the observance of the Vanaprastha mode.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli

Until I lay down this body, I shall thus practise the severe ordinances of the Vanaprastha scriptures, always searching for severer ones that they may contain. '

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose Adi Parva Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli

Undergoing the purificatory rite in respect of bearing matted locks, after having gone through the rite of regeneration and performed for some time the rites in respect of the sacred fire and studied the Vedas, one should, with cleansed soul and senses under restraint, having first carefully performed all the duties of the mode called Garhasthya, proceed, with or without his wife, to the woods for adoption of the mode called Vanaprastha.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Kisari Mohan [Translator] Ganguli