Garuda Mahā Purana - Achara Khaṇḍa
102 - Teachings of Yajnavalkya
Yajnavalkya said:
1. O sages, I shall expound the Vanaprastha (Retired life in Hermitage). The person who wishes to take to it shall go to the forest either alone or with his wife. If he goes alone he leaves his wife to the care of his son.
2. A Vanaprastha observes celibacy, fosters the sacred fire, exercises control over mind and sense-organs, is patient, honours brahmins who keep sacred fire as also the manes, deities and guests.
3. He shall gratify even the servants. He shall grow long hair, beard and moustaches. He shall be perfectly self-controlled. He shall take three baths a day. He should not accept money charities.
4. He shall continue Vedic studies. He shall regularly meditate. He shall be engaged in what is beneficent to all living beings. He shall attend to his personal needs once or twice a month.
5-6. He shall lie on the bare ground. He shall do everything without worrying over the results. In summer he shall stand in the midst of five fires and in the rainy season he shall lie on the bare ground. In the winter he shall wear wet clothes. During the day he shall perform Yogic Exercises. He shall not be angry with anyone. He shall be contented with himself.
Summary of chapter 102 of the Garuda Mahā Purana - Achara Khaṇḍa is as follows:
The Divine Master details the renunciate order, Sannyāsa, characterized by complete detachment from worldly possessions, universal goodwill toward all living beings, continuous contemplation upon the Ātman, and total surrender unto Bhagavān Vishṇu. As it happens, the wandering mendicant who maintains unbroken awareness of Hari breaks the bonds of rebirth forever.