The abode of the Sudras who maintain them¬ selves by serving (the three upper castes) is the Gandharva region. The abode of those who stay with their preceptors (as life-long students) is the same as the abode of eighty eight thousand sages of sublimated sexuality. The abode of the forest dewellers {Vana prasthas) is the same as the abode of Seven Sages {Ursa Major). (72-73a). The Prdjdpatya region has been proclaimed by the Self-born deity (Svayambhu) as the abode for the house¬ holders. The Hiranya-garbha region is the abode of the ascetics who have conquered their minds, have renounced the world as Sannydsins and who have sublimated their sex instinct. From this region no one ever returns. (73b-74a). The abode of the Yogins is the immortal re¬ gion called Vyoman —the greatest, imperishable, eternal and blissful abode of Isvara. It is the highest point, the Supreme goal to be achieved. The sages submitted : 74b-75a. “O Lord, O destroyer of the enemies of gods, O slayer of Hiranyaksa ! Four diramas (stages in life) have been proclaimed by you, and (how is it that) a separate one has been declared for Yogins ?” 30 Kurma Pur ana Lord Kunna said : 75b-76. A Yogin who has eschewed all activities and has resorted to motionless trance, and remains steady in medi¬ tation, is the Sannyasin. His is the fifth asrama {v.l. A Yogin who having renounced all activities has resorted to steady motionless meditation is the Sannyasin. There is no fifth ■dirama (vide verse 88 below). As pointed in Srutis, there are two types in each of dSramas (stages in life).^ 77-78a. The Brahmacdrin is of two types viz. (1) Upakur- vdria and (2) Nai^thika. He who duly studies the Vedas and at its conclusion, enters the life of a house-holder, is called Upakur- vdna. He who observes continence till death and prosecutes his Vedic studies called Naisthika. 78b-80a. The house-holder is of two types: (1) Udasina and (2) Sddhaka. The house-holder who earnestly exerts himself to maintain his family, is called Sddhaka. The House-holder who has paid all the three debts (viz. to the gods, departed ancestors and sages) and who, thereafter, abandons wealth, wife etc., and roams about alone seeking salvation from Sarhsdra, is called Uddsina. 80b-81a. The forest dweller who performs penance in the forest, worships gods, performs Homa (Fire-worship) and is devoted to the study of the Vedas is considered a Tdpasa. 81b-82a. He who is in the stage of a forest-dweller, has emaciated himself extremely through penance, and is completely devoted to spiritual meditation is called Sannydsika. 82b-84a. The recluse who is deeply engaged in the prac¬ tice of Yoga, is ever aspiring to climb up i.e. advance spiritual¬ ly, who has conquered the sense organs and awaits the dawn¬ ing of perfect knowledge is called Pdramefthika. He who revels in the Atman, is ever contented, is a great sage and is endowed with the correct vision is called a recluse. 84b-85a. The are of three types: (1) Some tire the renouncers by Jhdna {Jhdna sannydsin) , (2) Others