Gita 17.14
Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् | ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ||१४||
deva-dvija-guru-prājña-pūjanaṁ śaucam ārjavam | brahmacaryam ahiṁsā ca śārīraṁ tapa ucyate ||14||
In essence: The austerity of the body consists of worship of the divine and wise, cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy, and non-violence - using the body as instrument of spiritual discipline.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "These seem like basic ethics rather than austerity. How is cleanliness a 'tapas'?"
Guru: "Tapas means that which generates heat - the heat of transformation. Maintaining cleanliness requires constant effort against entropy; the body tends toward disorder. Sustaining purity in a world of pollution is genuine austerity. Try maintaining perfect cleanliness for one week - you'll discover the tapas involved."
Sadhak: "What does brahmacharya mean practically? Total celibacy?"
Guru: "At its root, brahmacharya means 'moving in Brahman' - directing life energy toward the divine rather than dissipating it in sense pleasures. For monastics, this means complete celibacy. For householders, it means regulated sexuality within dharmic bounds, plus mental continence - not constantly dwelling on sexual thoughts. The principle is conservation and direction of vital energy."
Sadhak: "Non-violence is obvious for actions, but what about mental violence?"
Guru: "This verse addresses bodily tapas specifically - the body not used for harm. Mental non-violence will come in the tapas of mind. But they're connected: a body trained in non-violence supports a mind that doesn't harbor violent thoughts. And violent thoughts eventually express through the body. The training works both directions."
Did this resonate with you? Share it with someone who needs to hear this.
🌅 Daily Practice
Begin the day with acts of bodily reverence: if you have a home altar, bow to it; if living with elders or teachers, physically greet them with respect. These physical acts set the body's orientation for the day. Practice careful cleanliness - bathe mindfully, wear clean clothes, create clean environment. This is active tapas.
Throughout the day, practice the body tapas: move with straightforward simplicity rather than complicated gestures or deceptive body language. Practice conservation of vital energy - notice where the body leaks energy through unnecessary tension, fidgeting, or sensory over-stimulation. Practice moment-by-moment ahimsa - don't harm any creature, even insects, unnecessarily.
Before sleep, review the day's bodily tapas. Did you honor the wise? Maintain cleanliness? Act straightforwardly? Conserve energy? Avoid violence? These questions assess progress. Where you fell short, resolve to improve tomorrow. Where you succeeded, recognize that even these 'simple' practices constitute genuine austerity when maintained consistently.