यथासंभवया वृत्त्या लोकशास्त्राविरुद्धया । सन्तोषसन्तुष्टमना भोगगन्धं परित्यजेत् ॥ १६ ॥
yathāsaṁbhavayā vṛttyā lōkaśāstrāviruddhayā | santōṣasantuṣṭamanā bhōgagandhaṁ parityajēt || 16 ||
Translation
Living by whatever livelihood comes, not against the world or scripture, the mind content with contentment, one should give up even the scent of pleasures.
Word by word
- yathā
- whatever
- saṁbhavayā
- comes
- vṛttyā
- by livelihood
- lōka
- the world
- śāstra
- scripture
- aviruddhayā
- not against
- santōṣa
- with contentment
- santuṣṭa
- content
- manā
- the mind
- bhōga
- of pleasures
- gandhaṁ
- the scent
- parityajēt
- one should give up
Meaning
The first step is ordinary and outward. The commentary: the one who seeks freedom should be content with a fitting livelihood, suited to his family, opposed neither to the world nor to scripture, and should give up the inner craving (vāsanā) for enjoyment. Not the pleasures only, but their scent (gandha): the leaning of the mind towards them. One does not leave the world; one stops being pulled.