> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://bhagavata.keshavaswami.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://bhagavata.keshavaswami.com/canto-07/o.p.e.n/n-naradas-instructions-11-15/brahmacarya-vanaprastha.md). # Brahmacarya / Vanaprastha Narada described the characteristics of *brahmacaris*. The essential principles are to live under the care of a guru, engage in scriptural study, minimise bodily necessities, survive by begging, control the mind and senses, and avoid association with women. After completing his training, the student can enter into family life or continue on the path of renunciation. Narada next described the lifestyle of *vanaprasthas*, who should adopt simplicity in bodily habits, live in the forest or travel to holy places, and engage in austerities which deepen their sense of detachment. Step-by-step, the *vanaprasthas* should give up material conceptions, especially the deep-rooted psychology that *“I am this body, and everything connected with this body is mine.”* --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://bhagavata.keshavaswami.com/canto-07/o.p.e.n/n-naradas-instructions-11-15/brahmacarya-vanaprastha.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.