They forsake all kinds of robes and food and enjoyments
for which people living in society have a taste. They subsist
abstemiously upon wild herbs and fruits and roots and leaves of diverse
kinds. The bare ground is their seat. They lie down on the bare earth or
rocks or pebbles or gravel or sand or ashes. They cover their limbs with
grass and animal skins and barks of trees. They never shave their heads
and beards or pare their nails. They perform their ablutions at regular
intervals. They pour libations on the ground, as also on the sacred fire
at the proper time without fail. They never enjoy any rest till
completion of their daily gathering of the sacred fuel (for their homa
fires) and sacred grass and flowers (for sacrifice and worship) and till
they have swept and rubbed clean (their sacrificial altars). They bear
without the least regard cold and heat, and rain and wind, and,
therefore, the skin of their bodies is cracked all over; and in
consequence of observing and laying down for themselves various kinds of
rites and vows and acts, their flesh and blood and skin and bones become
emaciated.[580] Endued with great patience and fortitude, they live,
always practising the quality of goodness. That person who, with
restrained soul, observes such a course of duties originally ordained by
regenerate Rishis, burns all his sins like fire and obtains regions of
felicity difficult of attainment.'
"I shall now describe the conduct of those called Parivrajakas.
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