Canto 3 -
Araṇya-kāṇḍa
Chapter 5: Rāma Meets Sage Śarabhaṅga
Text 3.5.39
ततोऽग्निं सुसमाधाय हुत्वा चाज्येन मन्त्रवित्।
शरभङ्गो महातेजाः प्रविवेश हुताशनम्॥
tato ’gniṁ susamādhāya hutvā cājyena mantravit
śarabhaṅgo mahā-tejāḥ praviveśa hutāśanam
tataḥ = and then; agnim = the fire; susamādhāya = having kindled; hutvā ca = offered; ājyena = oblations [into it] while chanting the brahmamedha mantras; mantravit = who knew the appropriate mantras; śarabhaṅgaḥ = Śarabhaṅga; mahā-tejāḥ = of great prowess; praviveśa = entered; huta-aśanam = the fire.
Having kindled the fire, Śarabhaṅga of great prowess, who knew the appropriate mantras, offered oblations [into it] while chanting the brahmamedha mantras and then entered the fire.1
He knew the appropriate mantras for conducting the final rites for a brāhmaṇa (brahmamedha).1
NOTE. The sage Śarabhaṅga carried out a process that is noted in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.18.11) by Lord Kṛṣṇa while instructing Uddhava:
yadāsau niyame ’kalpo jarayā jāta-vepathuḥ
ātmany agnīn samāropya mac-citto ’gniṁ samāviśet
“If the vānaprastha is overtaken by old age and because of his trembling body is no longer able to execute his prescribed duties, he should place the sacrificial fire within his heart by meditation. Then, fixing his mind on Me, he should enter into the fire and give up his body.”
Prabhupāda’s disciples have commented on this Bhāgavatam verse as follows:
Since the process of vānaprastha is recommended for those nearing the end of life, there is always the likelihood that one will prematurely succumb to the symptoms of old age and be unable to reach the final stage of sannyāsa. If one simply cannot carry on his religious duties due to old age, it is here advised that he fix the mind in Lord Kṛṣṇa and enter into the sacrificial fire. Although this may not be possible in the modern age, we can appreciate the absolute seriousness of going back home, back to Godhead, as evidenced in this verse.