229. Types of Tapah



Like ahankaar, there are few words to explain tapa or tapah. Japah and tapah are intrinsically understood in all Indian cultures. As a compromise, it is translated as austerity or penance. Krishna says that tapah is of three types -of body, of speech and of mind.

Krishna says, "The worship of the Devas, twice-born (first physical birth and later spiritual awakening), gurus, and wise; purity, uprightness, celibacy, and non-violence are considered tapah of body (17.14). Meditative communion with self, and uttering words that cause no agitation, that are truthful, pleasant, and beneficial are declared as tapah of speech (17.15). The serenity of mind, kindliness, silence, self-control, and purity of character are declared as tapah of mind" (17.16). These verses elevate our general understanding of tapah in that they can be performed at the level of body, at the level of words we speak and at the level of our thoughts.

After describing three types of tapah, Krishna explains them in the context of gunas and says,"This threefold tapah is satvik in nature when practiced by devout men with shraddha and desiring no fruit of actions (17.17). The tapah is said to be rajasic when performed to gain reverence, recognition, adoration and with ostentation; and is unstable and transitory (17.18). The tapah that is performed based on ignorance or foolishness involving torturing the self or harming others, is described as tamasic tapah" (17.19).

On an earlier occasion, while explaining about the path to reach him, Krishna used the word gyana-tapah and said, "sanctified by the asceticism of wisdom (gyana-tapah), disengaged from attachment, fear and ire (veet-raag, bhay and krodh), engrossed and sheltered in Me, many beings have attained My nature (4.10). When all these tapah are performed with gyan one attains HIM who is guna-ateeth.

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