These and various other observances are practised by those wise and pious men. The fourth mode of life is based upon the Upanishads. The duties prescribed for it may be observed in all the modes of life equally. Differing from the others this mode comes afler domestic and forest life.
एताश्चान्याश्च विविधा दीक्षास्तेषां मनीषिणाम्॥ चतुर्थश्चौपनिषदो धर्म: साधारणः स्मृतः। वानप्रस्थाद् गृहस्थाच्च ततोऽन्यः सम्प्रवर्तते॥