PHRASES IN THE GITA - 242

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PHRASES IN THE GITA - 242

शारीरं तप  ..  (अध्याय १७ - श्लोक १४)
ஶாரீரம் தப  ..  (அத்யாயம் 17 - ஶ்லோகம் 14)
Shareeram Tapa  ..  (Chapter 17 - Shlokam 14)

Meaning :  This is Austerity of the body ..

Tapa or Tapas has no equivalent word in English ..  Austerity is the word in use ..  It does not convey the exact meaning ..  yet , allow me to use the same Samskrut word ..

Birth as a human is a blessing ..  Tapas is the means of cleansing the body ..

Shri Krishna here elaborates on Tapas by our physical body ..  We have three instruments of action ..  Shareera or body , Vaak or speech and Manas or mind ...  Tapas can be done with all these three instruments ..  Shri Krishna mentions five actions as bodily Tapas ..  1)  Poojanam (Worship) ..  2)  Shoucham (Cleanliness) ..  3)  Aarjavam (Simplicity , plain , Uncomplicated) ..  4)  Brahmacharyam ..  Ahimsaa (Non - violence) ..

1)  Poojanam or worship (a) Worship of Deva or God , (b) Dwija or the twice-born Brahmin , (c) Guru or guide .. (d)  Praagya or the enlightened ..

a)  Worship of God ..  It is an elaborate practice with sixteen services ..  Inviting Him , Seating Him , washing His feet and hands , Talking with Him elaborating on His qualities , bathing Him , offering Him new Clothes , Wear the Sacred thread on Him , decorating Him with Sandal paste and the Turmeric powder KumKum , feeding Him , showing Light , offering scented smoke , offering betel leaves and then finally performing Namaskaram (falling flat at His feet) .. are the various parts of an elaborate Pooja ..  Preparing for such a Pooja and conducting this Pooja daily is a rigorous exercise and is Tapas for the body ..

b)  Worship of a Dwja or Brahman ..  A Brahman is Godly and Namaskaram offered to him is verily a Namaskaram offered to God ..  This is Tapas of the body ..

c)  Worship of Guru ..  Service to the Guru and Namaskarams to him are bodily Tapas too ..

d)  Praagya is an enlightened Jeeva and is to be worshipped by offering Namaskarams ..

2) ..  Shoucham or efforts towards cleanliness ..  This is described as Tapas by Shri Krishna ..  Bathing in cold water daily , morning and evening , Pranayam and breathing exercises to clean the breathing system , physical exercises , Yogasanas and regular and healthy food habits to clean the digestive system ..  these are all Tapas by the body ..

3)  Aarjavam or simplicity ..  Simple in appearance , simple clothes , plain and simple speech , simple in thoughts , easy accessibility , sincere friendship ..  etc . are Aarjavam , which is Tapas by the body .

4)  Brahmacharyam or celibacy ..  As with many other Samskrita words , this also has no equivalent word in English ..  Brahmacharyam is not mere celibacy ..  It is not merely remaining without getting married ..  It is beyond that ..  Restrained Indriyas (senses) , mind without desires , lust etc . , ever - engrossed in thoughts on Brahma ..  Thuse , Brahmacharyam is possible even in a married life ..

5)  Ahimsaa or non-violence ..  The body is chief instrument in any form of violence ..   That is why describes Ahimsaa as a bodily Tapas ..  Seeking revenge , eye for an eye , leg for a leg attitude , exploiting other lives for own comfort , commanding others to work for selfish demands etc .. are all violence ..  Bearing wrong doings of others , pardoning others for their follies , are Ahimsaa ..  Ahimsaa is named by Shri Krishna as Tapas by the body ..