Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.12.23
यदाकल्प: स्वक्रियायां व्याधिभिर्जरयाथवा ।
आन्वीक्षिक्यां वा विद्यायां कुर्यादनशनादिकम् ॥ २३ ॥
yadākalpaḥ sva-kriyāyāṁ
[yadaakalpah sva-kriyaayaam]
vyādhibhir jarayāthavā
[vyaadhibhir jarayaathavaa]
ānvīkṣikyāṁ vā vidyāyāṁ
[aanveekshikyaam vaa vidyaayaam]
kuryād anaśanādikam
[kuryaad anashanaadikam]
Word-for-word
yadā
—
when
akalpaḥ
—
unable to act
sva-kriyāyām
—
in one’s own prescribed duties
vyādhibhiḥ
—
because of disease
jarayā
—
or because of old age
athavā
—
either
ānvīkṣikyām
—
in spiritual advancement
vā
—
or
vidyāyām
—
in the advancement of knowledge
kuryāt
—
one must do
anaśana-ādikam
—
not take sufficient food.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yadākalpaḥ sva-kriyāyāṁ
yadā
when
akalpaḥ
unable to act
sva-kriyāyām
in one’s own prescribed duties
vyādhibhir jarayāthavā
vyādhibhiḥ
because of disease
jarayā
or because of old age
athavā
either
ānvīkṣikyāṁ vā vidyāyāṁ
ānvīkṣikyām
in spiritual advancement
vā
or
vidyāyām
in the advancement of knowledge
kuryād anaśanādikam
kuryāt
one must do
anaśana-ādikam
not take sufficient food.
When because of disease or old age one is unable to perform his prescribed duties for advancement in spiritual consciousness or study of the Vedas, he should practice fasting, not taking any food.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
When, because of disease or old age, one is unable to perform his prescribed duties or practice jñāna, he should fast.
When he is incapable (akalpaḥ) of practicing jñāna (ānvīkṣikyām) during the twelve year or lesser austerity, he should fast.
Personal Guidance
When disease or old age makes prescribed duties impossible, take to fasting and stop eating. There is a stage at which the body releases itself rather than be propped up. Recognize when prolongation becomes its own attachment.
Reflection Questions
- Where have you propped up something that this verse would say should be allowed to release?
- How do you tell prolongation from attachment in serious illness or decline?
My note
Source: vedabase.io