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176
Harivamsha Purana
1
Having regained their composure after satisfying their hunger, they discussed what to do, for wise thoughts arise only in a calm mind. || 116 ||
"What is the Lord's intention in renouncing all pleasures? It is extremely difficult to believe that He is striving for worldly gains." || 117 ||
"He has seen worldly possessions as calamities, He has renounced pleasure and pain, and He considers objects as poison. He has abandoned ornaments and clothing as if they were suffering, and He has uprooted the hair on his head with his own hand as if they were enemies. He has even renounced his body by giving up food and water. Therefore, it is clear that He must be seeking some otherworldly benefit." || 118-120 ||
"The Lord has adopted the vow of lifelong austerity and is now silent and immobile. In this situation, we do not know what we should do." || 121 ||
"Returning to our homeland after leaving with Him would not be fitting. Moreover, it is fraught with many obstacles and hardships." || 122 ||
"If we are unable to follow the Lord's path, then why not imitate His way of life in the forest?" || 123 ||
Having decided thus, they, the sons of Pandu, who ate fallen leaves and fruits, became ascetics with matted hair and bark clothing, dwelling in the forest. || 124 ||
Marichi Kumar, the Lord's grandson, was parched with thirst. Deluded, he saw a mirage in the desert and rushed towards it, thinking it was water. Just as entering water brings relief to a burning elephant, the soft earth brought some comfort to his body. || 125-126 ||
Marichi was deeply attached to worldly possessions, so he adopted the saffron robes of a wandering ascetic, which sustain the vow of renunciation. He carried a single staff, considered himself pure after bathing, and kept his head shaved. || 127 ||
On the other hand, those who were deeply distressed by the lack of pleasures and were troubled by their absence,
1. tyaktam. 2. sva-deshan m. 3. -anuvartatam m.