# Apastamba Prasna 2, Patala  9, Khanda 22

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.*

---

> APASTAMBA PRASNA II, PATALA 9, KHANDA 22.
> Hindu Index  Index  Previous  Next  
> 
> 1. A dress of materials procured in the woods (skins or bark) is ordained for him.
> 2. Then he shall wander about, sustaining his life by roots, fruits, leaves, and grass.
> 3. In the end (he shall live on) what has become detached spontaneously.
> 4. Next he shall live on water, (then) on air, then on ether.
> 5. Each following one of these modes of subsistence is distinguished by a (greater) reward.
> 6. Now some (teachers) enjoin for the hermit the
> [22. 1. Manu VI, 6.
> 2. Manu VI, 5, 21; Yagn. III, 46.
> 4. 'Then he shall live on ether, i.e. eat nothing at all.'--Haradatta. Manu VI, 31; Yagn. III, 55.]
> successive performance (of the acts prescribed for the several orders).
> 7. After having finished the. study of the Veda, having taken a wife and kindled the sacred fires, he shall begin the rites, which end with the Soma-sacrifices, (performing) as many as are prescribed in the revealed texts.
> 8. (Afterwards) he shall build a dwelling, and dwell outside the village with his wife, his children, and his fires,
> 9. Or (he may live) alone.
> 10. He shall support himself by gleaning corn.
> 11. And after that he shall not any longer take presents.
> 12. And he shall sacrifice (only) after having bathed (in the following manner):
> 13. He shall enter the watter slowly, and bathe without beating it (with his hand), his face turned towards the sun.
> 14. This rule of bathing is valid for all (castes and orders).
> 15. Some enjoin (that he shall prepare) two sets of utensils for cooking and eating, (and) of choppers, hatchets, sickles, and mallets.
> [6. 'The word atha, "now," introduces a different opinion. Above, it has been declared that the life in the woods (may be begun) after the studentship only. But some teachers enjoin just for that hermit a successive performance of the acts.
> 8. Manu VI, 3 seq.; Yagn. III, 45.
> 10. Haradatta thinks that this rule refers both to the hermit who lives with his family and to him who lives alone. Others refer it to the latter only.
> 15. According to Haradatta, the word kaga appears to designate a 'mallet;' in the passage from the Ramayana quoted in the Petersburg Dict. the commentator explains it by petaka, 'basket.']
> 16. He shall take one of each pair (of instruments), give the others (to his wife), and (then) go into the forest.
> 17. After that time (he shall perform) the burnt-oblations, (sustain) his life, (feed) his guests, and (prepare) his clothes with materials produced in the forest.
> 18. Rice must be used for those sacrifices for which cakes mixed with meat (are employed by the householder).
> 19. And all (the Mantras), as well as the daily portion of the Veda, (must be recited) inaudibly.
> 20. He shall not make the inhabitants of the forest hear (his recitation).
> 21. (He shall have) a house for his fire (only).
> 22. He himself (shall live) in the open air.
> 23. His couch and seat, must not be covered (with mats).
> 24. If he obtains fresh grain, he shall throw away the old (store).
> [17. Yagn. III, 46.
> 20. This Sutra explains the word upamsu, 'inaudibly.'
> 24. Manu VI, 15; Yagn. III, 47.]
>
> — *Apastamba Prasna 2, Patala  9, Khanda 22*