Brahmacarya / Vanaprastha

Chapter 12

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.”