Verse 6.86 [The Renouncer of the Veda (vedasaṃnyāsika)]

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

एष धर्मोऽनुशिष्टो वो यतीनां नियतात्मनाम् ।
वेदसंन्यासिकानां तु कर्मयोगं निबोधत ॥ ८६ ॥

eṣa dharmo'nuśiṣṭo vo yatīnāṃ niyatātmanām |
vedasaṃnyāsikānāṃ tu karmayogaṃ nibodhata || 86 ||

Thus have the duties of the self-controlled Renunciates been expounded to you. Listen now to the duties of the ‘renouncers of the Veda.’—(86).

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

Those who have taken to the renouncing of the Veda are called ‘Veda-sanyāsika,’ ‘renouncers of the Veda.’ The term ‘veda’ indicates the renouncing of all such acts as the pouring of libations and the like, and not that of reciting Vedic texts; then again, as for meditation on the soul, this has been enjoined for these men also; so that what are forbidden Cor them are such acts as going on pilgrimages, keeping of fasts and so forth, all which require (for their accomplishment) wealth as well as bodily labour; and the prohibition does not apply to such acts as the twilight-prayer, repeating of mantras and the like, for which the man needs nothing besides himself. All this we shall explain at the proper place.

The first half of the verse sums up the section on Renunciation, and the second half introduces the duties of the ‘renouncer of the Veda.’—(86).

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

“Govindarāja is of the opinion that the persons named above (4.22) are here intended. But from what follows (verses 94, 95) it appears that those Brāhmaṇas are meant who, though solely intent on the acquisition of Supreme Knowledge, and retired from all worldly affairs, continue to reside in their houses; see also 4.257. Govindarāja and Nārāyaṇa assume that they remain Householders, while Kullūka counts them among the ascetics.”—Buhler.