the man who is devoted to the religion of truth and tranquillity of soul,
desiring to have a guest (but finding his desire ungratified), should eat
what remnant of food may still occur in the house. By acting in this way,
one becomes a practiser of the religion of the Munis. One should not be
arrogant, nor proud, nor cheerless and discontented; nor should one
wonder at anything. Indeed, one should behave equally towards friends and
foes. Verily, one who is the foremost of all persons conversant with
duties should also be friendly towards all creatures."'"'"

SECTION CXLII

"'"'Uma said, "Forest recluses reside in delightful regions, among the
springs and fountains of rivers, in bowers by the sides of streams and
rills, on hills and mountains, in woods and forests, and in sacred spots
full of fruits and roots. With concentrated attention and observant of
vows and rules, they dwell in such places. I desire, O Sankara, to hear
the sacred ordinances which they follow. These recluses, O god of all
gods, are persons that depend, for the protection of their bodies, upon
themselves alone."[565]

"'"'Maheswara said, "Do thou hear with concentrated attention what the
duties are of forest recluses. Having listened to them with one mind, O
goddess, do thou set thy heart upon righteousness. Listen then to what the
acts are that should be practised by righteous recluses crowned with
success, observant of rigid vows and rules, and residing in woods and
forests. Performing ablutions thrice a day, worshipping the Pitris and the
deities, pouring libations on the sacred fire, performing those
sacrifices and rites that go by the name of Ishti-homa, picking up the
grains of Nivara-paddy, eating fruit and roots, and using oil that is
pressed out from Inguda and castor-seeds are their duties. Having gone
through the practices of Yoga and become crowned with (ascetic) success
and freed from lust and wrath, they should seat themselves in the
attitude called Virasana. Indeed, they should reside in those places
which are inaccessible to cowards.[566] Observant of the excellent
ordinances relating to Yoga, sitting in summer in the midst of four fires
on four sides with the sun overhead, duly practising what is called
Manduka Yoga, and always seated in the attitude called Virasana, and
lying on bare rocks or the earth, these men, with hearts set upon
righteousness, must expose themselves to cold and water and fire. They
subsist upon water or