# SB 3.24.42 > व्रतं स आस्थितो मौनमात्मैकशरणो मुनिः । > निःसङ्गो व्यचरत्क्षोणीमनग्निरनिकेतनः ॥४२॥ ## Text > vrataṁ sa āsthito maunam > ātmaika-śaraṇo muniḥ > niḥsaṅgo vyacarat kṣoṇīm > anagnir aniketanaḥ ## Synonyms *vratam*—vow; *saḥ*—he (Kardama); *āsthitaḥ*—accepted; *maunam*—silence; *ātma*—by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; *eka*—exclusively; *śaraṇaḥ*—being sheltered; *muniḥ*—the sage; *niḥsaṅgaḥ*—without association; *vyacarat*—he traveled; *kṣoṇīm*—the earth; *anagniḥ*—without fire; *aniketanaḥ*—without shelter. ## Translation **The sage Kardama accepted silence as a vow in order to think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and take shelter of Him exclusively. Without association, he traveled over the surface of the globe as a sannyāsī, devoid of any relationship with fire or shelter.** ## Purport Here the words *anagnir aniketanaḥ* are very significant. A *sannyāsī* should be completely detached from fire and any residential quarters. A *gṛhastha* has a relationship with fire, either for offering sacrifices or for cooking, but a *sannyāsī* is freed from these two responsibilities. He does not have to cook or offer fire for sacrifice because he is always engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness; therefore he has already accomplished all ritualistic performances of religion. *Aniketanaḥ* means "without lodging." He should not have his own house, but should depend completely on the Supreme Lord for his food and lodging. He should travel. *Mauna* means "silence." Unless one becomes silent, he cannot think completely about the pastimes and activities of the Lord. It is not that because one is a fool and cannot speak nicely he therefore takes the vow of *mauna.* Rather, one becomes silent so that people will not disturb him. It is said by Cāṇakya Paṇḍita that a rascal appears very intelligent as long as he does not speak. But speaking is the test. The so-called silence of a silent impersonalist *svāmī* indicates that he has nothing to say; he simply wants to beg. But the silence adopted by Kardama Muni was not like that. He became silent for relief from nonsensical talk. One is called a *muni* when he remains grave and does not talk nonsense. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa set a very good example; whenever he spoke, he spoke about the pastimes of the Lord. *Mauna* necessitates refraining from nonsensical talking, and engaging the talking facility in the pastimes of the Lord. In that way one can chant and hear about the Lord in order to perfect his life. *Vratam* means that one should take a vow as explained in *Bhagavad-gītā, amānitvam adambhitvam,* without hankering for personal respect and without being proud of one's material position. A*hiṁsā* means not being violent. There are eighteen processes for attaining knowledge and perfection, and by his vow, Kardama Muni adopted all the principles of self-realization.