एतया सततं वृत्त्या चरन्न् एवंप्रकारया ॥
देहं संधारयिष्यामि निर्भयं मार्गम् आस्थितः ॥
नाहं श्वाचरिते मार्गे अवीर्यकृपणोचिते ॥
स्वधर्मात् सततापेते रमेयं वीर्यवर्जितः ॥
सत्कृतो ऽसक्तृतो वापि यो ऽन्यां कृपणचक्षुषा ॥
उपैति वृत्तिं कामात्मा स शुनां वर्तते पथि ॥
etayā satataṃ vṛttyā carann evaṃprakārayā ||
dehaṃ saṃdhārayiṣyāmi nirbhayaṃ mārgam āsthitaḥ ||
nāhaṃ śvācarite mārge avīryakṛpaṇocite ||
svadharmāt satatāpete rameyaṃ vīryavarjitaḥ ||
satkṛto 'saktṛto vāpi yo 'nyāṃ kṛpaṇacakṣuṣā ||
upaiti vṛttiṃ kāmātmā sa śunāṃ vartate pathi ||
"Living constantly in this manner, I shall sustain only the body, having taken to a fearless path. I shall not, as one devoid of valor, delight in the 'dog's' path, fit for the powerless and the wretched and ever fallen from one's own dharma. For whoever, honored or dishonored, lustful, turns to another with a wretched, begging gaze in search of a livelihood -- he walks the path of dogs."
3caca094e101 · published Jul 12, 2026, 4:30:27 PM UTC
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Here Pandu contrasts two paths: the fearless path of the muni and the "dog's" path of the one who begs with a covetous gaze. Telling is the word "fearless" (nirbhaya): true renunciation comes not from weakness but from strength -- it is the path of the courageous, not the wretched. This is an important distinction: renunciation can be true or false. False renunciation is when a person, powerless and greedy, merely assumes the appearance of one who has renounced while seeking handouts and comforts with a "dog's" gaze; true renunciation is when one strong in spirit renounces of his own will, asking nothing of anyone. Telling too is the comparison of the greedy beggar to a dog wagging at another's doorstep: one who lives peering into others' hands with craving debases himself like a dog. Thus scripture exalts renunciation performed out of strength and fearlessness, and brands hypocritical begging; and yet the ascetic does depend -- but only upon the Lord, and that dependence does not debase but exalts.