Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.18.3
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyAccept a Life of Bodily Simplicity
“The vānaprastha should not groom the hair on his head, body or face, should not manicure his nails, should not pass stool and urine at irregular times and should not make a special endeavor for dental hygiene. He should be content to take bath in water three times daily and should sleep on the ground.”
What the purport teaches
- For the vānaprastha, the verse prescribes leaving the hair and nails ungroomed.
- It also prescribes regular times for passing stool and urine, without making a special endeavor for dental hygiene.
- The vānaprastha should be content to bathe in water three times daily and sleep on the ground.
Try this today
Notice one unnecessary concern about your appearance today and let it pass without acting on it.
Ask yourself
How much of my attention goes toward bodily appearance and comfort?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.