Muni's PlayAusterity (Tapas) is categorized into three levels in the Bhagavad Gita (Gita Verse 17.14–Gita Verse 17.16), each corresponding to specific practices in the Yoga Sutras.
Physical Austerity (Śārīra Tapas)
Body austerity focuses on physical discipline and external relationships (Gita Verse 17.14).
Sanskrit Verse
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम्।ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते।।17.14।।
Transliteration
deva-dwija-guru-prājña- pūjanaṁ śhaucham ārjavam
brahmacharyam ahinsā cha śhārīraṁ tapa uchyate
Swami Sivananda's translation
Worship of the gods, the twice-born, the teachers, and the wise; purity, straightforwardness, celibacy, and non-injury are all called the austerities of the body.
| Gita Concept | Sanskrit | Yoga Sutra Correlation | Sutra Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worship of elders/wise | Deva-dvija-guru-prājña-pūjanam | Asana (Steady Posture) | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.46 |
| Purity | Śaucham | Shaucha (5 Niyamas) | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.40, Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.41 |
| Straightforwardness | Ārjavam | — | — |
| Continence | Brahmacharyam | Brahmacharya (5 Yamas) | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.38 |
| Non-injury | Ahinsā | Ahimsa (Yama) | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.35 |
Verbal Austerity (Vāṅmaya Tapas)
Austerity of speech focuses on refined communication and scriptural study (Gita Verse 17.15).
Sanskrit Verse
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत्।स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते।।17.15।।
Transliteration
anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ cha yat
svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ chaiva vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa uchyate
Swami Sivananda's translation
Speech that causes no excitement, is truthful, pleasant, and beneficial; the practice of studying the Vedas is called austerity of speech.
| Gita Concept | Sanskrit | Yoga Sutra Correlation | Sutra Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-distressing speech | Anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ | — | — |
| Truthfulness | Satyam | Satya (Yama) | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.36 |
| Pleasant & Beneficial | Priya-hitam | — | — |
| Scriptural Study | Svādhyāya | Svādhyāya (Niyama) | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.44 |
| Practice | Abhyasanam | Abhyasa | Abhyasa and Vairagya |
Mental Austerity (Mānasa Tapas)
Mental austerity focuses on the inner state and clarity of thought (Gita Verse 17.16).
Sanskrit Verse
मनःप्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः।भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते।।17.16।।
Transliteration
manaḥ-prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunam ātma-vinigrahaḥ
bhāva-sanśhuddhir ity etat tapo mānasam uchyate
Swami Sivananda's translation
Serenity of mind, good-heartedness, self-control, and purity of nature—this is called mental austerity.
| Gita Concept | Sanskrit | Yoga Sutra Correlation | Sutra Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serenity of mind | Manaḥ-prasādaḥ | Santosha (Contentment) | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.42 |
| Gentleness | Saumyatvam | — | — |
| Silence | Mauna | — | — |
| Self-control | Ātma-vinigrahah | — | — |
| Purity of purpose | Bhāva-saṁśuddhiḥ | — | — |
See also: