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Tapasya - Jain meditation in progress.[1]
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Tapas is a Sanskrit word that means "to heat".[2] It also connotes certain spiritual practices in Indian religions. In Jainism, it refers to asceticism (austerities, body mortification);[1][3] in Buddhism to spiritual practices including meditation and self-discipline;[4] and in the different traditions within Hinduism it refers to a spectrum of practices ranging from asceticism, inner cleansing to self-discipline.[5][6][7] The Tapas practice often involves solitude, and is a part of monastic practices that are believed to be a means to moksha (liberation, salvation).[3]
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Tapas (Samskrit: तपस्) refers to the mode of self-discipline, prescribed to bring the body and mind under control.<ref name=":1">Swami Nikhilananda (1944), [https://estudantedavedanta.net/Srimad%20Bhagavad%20Gita%20with%20Commentary%20-%20Swami%20Nikhilananda%20(1944)%20%5BEnglish%5D.pdf The Bhagavad Gita], New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center.</ref> It is training of the mind to achieve equanimity.<ref name=":3">Anant Balwant Marathe (2011), The Socio-Religious Implications of Vanaprastha and Samnyasa, Delhi: New Bharatiya Book Corporation.</ref> It is one of the five Niyamas (religious observances) recommended by Maharshi Patanjali as part of the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. The basis of Tapas (austerity) is achara (regulation of daily life). Tapas along with Svadhyaya (studying and understanding of scriptures) and Ishvara Pranidhana (worship of the Supreme and surrendering the fruit of actions to the Supreme) constitute Kriya Yoga that purifies the mind, attenuates or thins out the five afflictions (Pancha kleshas) and leads to Samadhi.<ref>Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>
  
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In the Vedas literature of Hinduism, fusion words based on tapas are widely used to expound several spiritual concepts that develop through heat or inner energy, such as meditation, any process to reach special observations and insights, the spiritual ecstasy of a yogin or Tāpasa (a vṛddhi derivative meaning "a practitioner of austerities, an ascetic"), even warmth of sexual intimacy.[8] In certain contexts, the term means penance, pious activity, as well as severe meditation.[9]
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== Conceptual Overview ==
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The word Tapas is derived from the root word 'tap' and signifies warmth. The Upanishadic usage of the term 'tapas' throws light on the various meanings that can be attached to the word. The aspects thus, associated with the concept of Tapas include,
  
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Contents  [hide]
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* Austerity
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1 Etymology and meaning
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तपसा ब्रह्म विजिज्ञासस्व । तपो ब्रह्मेति...<ref>Taittiriya Upanishad, Bhrguvalli ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80#%E0%A5%A5_%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8A%E0%A4%BD%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A5 Anuvaka 2])</ref>
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2 Buddhism
 
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3 Hinduism
 
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3.1 History
 
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3.2 Yoga and brahmacharya
 
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4 Jainism
 
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5 Ajivikas
 
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6 Modern practice
 
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7 See also
 
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8 Notes
 
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9 References
 
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10 Sources
 
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11 External links
 
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Etymology and meaning[edit]
 
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Tapas is based on the root Tap (तप्) meaning "to heat, to give out warmth, to shine, to burn".[2] The term evolves to also mean "to suffer, to mortify the body, undergo penance" in order to "burn away past karma" and liberate oneself.[2][10] The term Tapas means "warmth, heat, fire".[2]
 
  
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The meaning of the word evolves in ancient Indian literature. The earliest discussions of tapas, and compound words from the root tap (Sanskrit: तप) relate to the heat necessary for biological birth.[11][12] Its conceptual origin is traced to the natural wait, motherly warmth and physical "brooding" provided by birds such as a hen upon her eggs - a process that is essential to hatching and birth; the Vedic scholars used mother nature's example to explain and extend this concept to hatching of knowledge and spiritual rebirth.[13]
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Here, Varuna says, "Through austerity know Brahman is austerity".
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* Knowledge and Circumspection
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स तपोऽतप्यत । स तपस्तप्त्वा । इदँ सर्वमसृजत ।<ref>Taittiriya Upanishad, Brahmanandavalli, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80#%E0%A5%A5_%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A0%E0%A5%8A%E0%A4%BD%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A5 Anuvaka 6]</ref>
  
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Some of the earliest reference of tapas, and compound words from the root tap (तप) is found in many ancient Hindu scriptures, including the Ŗg Veda (10.154.5), Satapatha Brahmana (5.3 - 5.17), and Atharva Veda (4.34.1, 6.61.1, 11.1.26). In these texts, tapas is described as the process that led to the spiritual birth of ṛṣis - sages of spiritual insights.[11] The Atharva Veda suggests all the gods were tapas-born (tapojās), and all earthly life was created from the sun's tapas (tapasah sambabhũvur).[11][14] In the Jāiminiya-Upanisad Brāhmaņa, life perpetuates itself and creates progeny by tapas, a process that starts with sexual heat.[15][16]
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It means that the Supreme Being created everything having performed tapas. Here, Shanka
  
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Sanskrit tapasyā (neuter gender), literally "produced by heat", refers to a personal endeavor of discipline, undertaken to achieve a goal. One who undertakes tapas is a Tapasvin. The fire deity of Hinduism, Agni, is central to many Hindu rituals such as yajna and homa. Agni is considered an agent of heat, of sexual energy, of incubation; Agni is considered a great tapasvin.[17][18]
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racharya in his commentary explains the term 'tapas' as knowledge and circumspection.  
  
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The word tapasvi refers to a male ascetic or meditator, while tapasvinī to a female.[19][20]
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तप इति ज्ञानमुच्यते।<ref>Taittiriya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Shankara bhashya])</ref>
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* Brahman
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* Burning
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स तपोऽतप्यत । तस्य श्रान्तस्य तप्तस्य यशो वीर्यमुदक्रामत् ।<ref>Brhadaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_1a Adhyaya 1])</ref>
  
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Buddhism[edit]
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Meaning: He practised austerity, while he thus rested and heated, fame and vigour went forth.
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Before he reached his enlightenment, the Buddha tried asceticism (self-mortification) of the type found in other Śramaṇa religions (Jainism), and this is referred to as Tapas (Tibetan: dka' thub, Chinese: kuxing, Japanese: kugyo, Korean: kohaeng).[21][22] Post-enlightenment, the Buddhist doctrines of the Middle Way and Noble Eightfold Path did not include ascetic practices.[23]
 
  
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The Buddha, in multiple Buddhist texts, such as Majjhima Nikaya and Devadaha Sutta, attributes the ascetic self-mortification style Tapas practices to Jainism (Niganthas), wherein such practices annihilate past Karmas and stop new Karmas from being created, ones that lead to the cycle of rebirths in Saṃsāra.[10] These ancient Buddhist texts are significant in their claims of the existence of Jain Brahmins and ascetics, along with their karma doctrine and reasons for their Tapas practices in ancient times:[24]
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Here, tapas literally means burning. In fact, the root tap is used to mean ' to burn' even in the Rgveda. (ref 8.102.16)  
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* Glow caused by concentration of mental energy
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अजो भागस्तपसा तं तपस्व तं ते शोचिस्तपतु तं ते अर्चिः ।...॥४॥<ref>Rgveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AC Sukta 16]</ref>
  
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The Blessed One [Buddha] said,
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In the Rgveda, the root tap is used in the sense of warmth or glow.
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"There are, o monks, some ascetics and Brahmins who speak thus and are of such opinion: 'Whatever a particular person experiences, whether pleasant or painful, or neither pleasant nor painful, all this has its cause in what was previously done. For this reason, the elimination of previous deeds through penance [Tapas] and the non-performaning of new deeds [kamma] is tantamount to non-inflow in the future. From the non flow in the future, there is destruction of deeds. From the destruction of deeds, there is destruction of pain. From the destruction of pain, there is destruction of feeling; from the destruction of feeling, all pain will become erased. Thus say, o monks, those free of bonds [Jainas].
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* Passing through fierce fires
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"O Niganthas, you...
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* Being stripped of everything we possess
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* Restraint
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* Penance
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* Enduring illness without moaning
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* Faith
  
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— Cula Dukkha Kkhandha Sutta, early Buddhist text, Translated by Piotr Balcerowicz[24][25][note 1]
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तद्य इत्थं विदुः । ये चेमेऽरण्ये श्रद्धा तप इत्युपासते तेऽर्चिषमभिसम्भवन्त्यर्चिषो...<ref>Chandogya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB Adhyaya 5])</ref>
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These ascetic Tapas practices is also confirmed by Jainism texts such as Uttarajjhyayana.[10] The Buddhist scholar Dharmakirti strongly criticizes the Jaina practice of Tapas as a means of liberation, while many Jainism scholars have in turn strongly criticized Dharmakirti opinion and analysis, explaining why their approach to ascetic Tapas is appropriate.[10]
 
  
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According to Hajime Nakamura and other scholars, some scriptures of early Buddhism suggest that ascetic Tapas was a part of Buddhist practice in its early days, wherein body-mortification was an option for the Buddhist monk in his spiritual practice.[23][26][note 2]
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So those who know this and who in the forest meditate on faith as austerity go to light and from light..
  
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In the Theravada tradition of Thailand, a monastic practice emerged in the 12th-century who did Tapas as ascetic wandering and forest or crematory dwelling monks, with austere practices, and these came to be known as Thudong.[28][29] These ascetic Buddhist monks are also found in Myanmar, and as in Thailand, they are known to pursue their own version of Buddhism, resisting the hierarchical institutionalized sangha structure of monasteries in Buddhism.[30] Textual evidence suggests that asceticTapas practices were a part of the Buddhist tradition in Sri Lanka by the 3rd century BCE, and this tradition continued through the medieval era in parallel to sangha style monastic tradition.[31]
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This gives rise to two broad types of Tapas.
  
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In the Mahayana tradition, asceticism with esoteric and mystical meanings became an accepted practice, such as in the Tendai and Shingon schools of Japanese Buddhism.[31] These Japanese practices included penance, austerities, ablutions under a waterfall, and rituals to purify oneself.[31] Japanese records from the 12th century record stories of monks undertaking severe asceticism, while records suggest that 19th century Nichiren Buddhist monks woke up at midnight or 2:00 AM daily, and performed ascetic water purification rituals as a part of Tapas.[31] Other practices include the extreme ascetic practices of eating only pine needles, resins, seeds and ultimately self-mummification, while alive, or Sokushinbutsu (miira) in Japan.[32][33]
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The first type inclusive of austerity (consisting of abegation and self-mortification), burning, glow caused by concentration of mental energy, passing through fierce fires, being stripped of everything that we possess, restraint, penance and celibate chastity is physical in nature. The second type inclusive of knowledge and circumspection, Brahman (ie. probably a means of achieving direct experience of Brahman), non-censure (for illness or death falling to one's lot) and lack of bemoaning one's misfortune of being ill or the possibility of death ie. (developing) an equanimity of mind and faith, all of which seem to be necessary for a truly religious and socially useful life, can be considered the essence of tapas.<ref name=":3" />
  
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Elsewhere, in mainstream Buddhism, over time the meaning of the word Tapas evolved, wherein ascetic penance was forsaken, and Tapas meant meditative and spiritual practices.[23]
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== त्रिविधं तपः ॥ Threefold Tapa ==
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The 17th Chapter (Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita prescribes three kinds of austerities that purify the heart rapidly. They are,
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* शारीरं तप or Physical Tapas that constitutes worship of the Supreme, the brahmanas, the teachers and the wise, purity, straightforwardness, self restraint and harmlessness.
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* वाङ्मयं तप or Verbal Tapas that constitutes speech causing no annoyance, truthful and beneficial and the practice of the study of the scriptures.
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* मानसं तप or Mental Tapas that constitutes mental happiness, equilibrium, silence, self-control and purity of nature.<ref name=":2" /> Wherein, silence refers to control of thought which precedes the silence of the tongue.<ref name=":1" /> And self-control refers to controlling the mind by detaching it from sense enjoyment.<ref name=":5">A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1998), [https://ebooks.iskcondesiretree.com/pdf/00_-_Srila_Prabhupada/Bhagavad_Gita/Bhagavad_Gita_As_It_Is.pdf Bhagavad Gita As It Is], USA: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.</ref>
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<blockquote>देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् । ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ॥१७.१४॥
  
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The word Tapas appears extensively in Buddhist literature where, states Richard Gombrich, it does not mean "asceticism or mortification".[4] The term Tapas means "meditation" or "reasoned moral self discipline" or both in Buddhism.[4] According to Bailey and Mabbett, these Buddhist ideas are similar to those found in the Brahmanical (Vedic) tradition, wherein there is a great deal of overlap in the concepts of Tapas, Yoga, meditation and gnosis (knowledge), yet the term Tapas is rooted in the inner "mystic heat" themes of the Indian religions.[34]
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अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् । स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ॥१७.१५॥
  
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Hinduism[edit]
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मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः । भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥१७.१६॥<ref name=":0">Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 17 (Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga)]</ref>
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History[edit]
 
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The earliest mention of Tapas is in the Vedic texts.[11] The concept of Tapas as symbolism for spiritual rebirth begins in the Vedas.[35][36] Atharva Veda verse 11.5.3 compares the process of spiritual rebirth of a student in care of his or her teacher, with the gestation process during the biological birth of a baby in a mother's womb.[37][38]
 
  
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Tapas is also found in the Upanishads. The Chāndogya Upaniṣad, for example, suggests that those who engage in ritualistic offerings to gods and priests will fail in their spiritual practice while those who engage in tapas and self-examination will succeed.[39] The Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad states that realization of self requires a search for truth and Tapas (meditation).[39][40]
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''devadvijaguruprājñapūjanaṁ śaucamārjavam । brahmacaryamahiṁsā ca śārīraṁ tapa ucyate ॥17.14॥''
  
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By Truth can this Self be grasped,
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''anudvegakaraṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priyahitaṁ ca yat । svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅmayaṁ tapa ucyate ॥17.15॥''
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by Tapas, by Right Knowledge,
 
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and by a perpetually chaste life.
 
  
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— Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad, 3.1.5-6,[39][41]
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''manaḥ prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunamātmavinigrahaḥ । bhāvasaṁśuddhirityetattapo mānasamucyate ॥17.16॥''</blockquote>
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Meditation and achievement of lucid knowledge is declared essential to self-realization in ancient scriptures. Texts by Adi Sankara suggests Tapas is important, but not sufficient for spiritual practice. Later Hindu scholars introduce a discussion of ‘false ascetic’, as one who go through the mechanics of tapas, without meditating on the nature of Brahman.[39] Tapas is an element of spiritual path, state Indian texts.[39][40] The concept is extensively mentioned in the Vedas,[42] and the Upanishads.[43]
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=== त्रिगुणाः तपश्च ॥ Trigunas and Tapa ===
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The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 17, Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga) further describes these three kinds of Tapa with respect to the Trigunas that influence the nature and choice of an individual.<ref name=":1" /> It says, the threefold austerity (ie. Sharira, Vangmaya and Manasa Tapa) when performed by people with firm belief, without desire for fruit, being harmonised, is known as pure or Sattvika.<blockquote>श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः । अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ॥१७.१७॥<ref name=":0" /> ''śraddhayā parayā taptaṁ tapastattrividhaṁ naraiḥ । aphalākāṅkṣibhiryuktaiḥ sāttvikaṁ paricakṣate ॥17.17॥''</blockquote>It is well known that Rshi Vishvamitra became a Brahma Rshi through vigorous Tapas while, Rshi Markendeya changed his destiny through Tapas and worship of Shiva.<ref>Swami Sivananda Saraswati (1937), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.217437/page/n45/mode/2up Practice of Bhakti Yoga], Amritsar: Editor, Ideal Home Magazine.</ref> However, Tapas performed out of pride in order to gain respect, honour and reverence is said to be Rajasika in nature. And its result is uncertain and transient.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" /><blockquote>सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत् । क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम् ॥१७.१८॥<ref name=":0" /> satkāramānapūjārthaṁ tapo dambhena caiva yat । kriyate tadiha proktaṁ rājasaṁ calamadhruvam ॥17.18॥</blockquote>While, Penance performed out of foolishness, with Self-torture or to destroy or injure others, is said to be in the mode of ignorance or Tamasika.<ref name=":5" /><blockquote>मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः । परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥१७.१९॥<ref name=":0" /> mūḍhagrāheṇātmano yatpīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ । parasyotsādanārthaṁ vā tattāmasamudāhr̥tam ॥17.19॥</blockquote>There are instances of foolish penance undertaken by demons like Hiranyakashipu, who performed austere penances to become immortal and kill the demigods. He prayed to Brahma for such things but ultimately he was killed by the Supreme Being. Therefore, to undergo penances for something which is impossible is certainly in the mode of ignorance.<ref name=":5" />
  
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== अर्थव्याप्तिः ॥ Conceptual Overlay ==
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The Bhagavad Gita mentions that one must always perform yajna, dana, tapa and karma.<blockquote>यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् । यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ॥१८.५॥<ref name=":7">Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga)]</ref> ''yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyaṁ kāryameva tat । yajño dānaṁ tapaścaiva pāvanāni manīṣiṇām ॥18.5॥''</blockquote>It should be noted here that when one gives away something (as dana), one may suffer some loss but that may be considered tyaga, which is considered a kind of tapas. Considering this complex relationship between dana and tapas, Prof. Bhawuk, in his research, proposes that dana and tapas are interrelated constructs and can be visualised as occupying a common semantic space. Similarly, all activities (karma) done for lokasamgraha or for the good of people too may be considered tyaga or tapas.<ref name=":2">Dharm P. S. Bhawuk, [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0971333620906758 Sraddha: Construct Definition from the Bhagavad-Gita], SAGE Journals, Volume 32, Issue 1.</ref>
  
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Agni, the fire deity, is common at Hindu rituals such as weddings. Agni is considered a great tapasvin, and symbolizes the heat and patience necessary to recreate and incubate life.[17]
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== References ==
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According to Walter Kaelber,[11] and others,[15][44][45] in certain translations of ancient Sanskrit documents Tapas is interpreted as austerities and asceticism; however, this is frequently inadequate because it fails to reflect the context implied, which is of sexual heat or warmth that incubates the birth of life. The idea of linking austerity, exertion, fatigue and self-renunciation to the ancient idea of heat, brooding and inner devotion, comes from the observed labor every mother puts in caring for its embryo and delivering her baby, regardless of the life form;[46] The concept and reference to 'egg hatching' is replaced in Sanskrit texts written in later centuries, with simply 'brooding' or 'incubation'.[47][48]
 
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In ancient literature of Hinduism dedicated to love, desire, lust, seduction and sex, the root of the word Tapas is commonly used. For example, in Atharva Veda, a mantra recommended for a woman who wishes to win or compel a man's love is, 'Love's consuming longing, this passion this yearning, which the gods have poured, into the waters of life, I kindle for thee (tam te tapāmi), by the law of Varuna.'[49] Desire (kāma) is homologized with the concept of Tapas, to explain the feelings and inner energy that leads to sexual intercourse.[50][51] Agnicayana, Satapatha Brahmana and other ancient texts similarly use the root of the word Tapas to symbolize emotions, biological stages and a mother's effort from conception to the birth of a baby.[52]
 
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Both meanings of Tapas are found in various Hindu texts. In some ancient texts, Tapas has the sense of ascetic mortification in a sense similar to other Indian religions,[53] while in the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga school of Hinduism, the term means self-training and virtuous living in a sense similar to Buddhism.[54] In the Puranas and the texts of the goddess tradition of Hinduism, the term is equivalent to a devotion with intense self-discipline, believed to yield special inner powers.[55][56] In contemporary usage, any practice that includes hardship and requires perseverance – such as fasting during Vrata – is called Tapas.[57]
 
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Yoga and brahmacharya[edit]
 
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Patañjali, in his Yoga Sūtra, lists Tāpas as one of the Niyamas (virtuous practices),[58][59] and describes it in several sections such as 2.32, 2.43 and 4.1.[7] The term includes self-discipline, meditation, simple and austere living or any means of inner self-purification.[46][60][61] Tapas in the Patanjali text and other Hindu texts on Yoga, states Benjamin Smith, is that which is "a means for perfection of the body and the organs through the lessening of impurities" and a foundation for a yogi's pursuit of perfection.[7]
 
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Tapas in the Hindu traditions is part of a stage of life, called brahmacharya.[62] The Vedic literature suggests diksa (incubation of a student in a field of knowledge) requires tapas, and tapas is enabled by the state of brahmacharya. This state sometimes includes tapas such as vrata (fasting, sacrifice of food), sram (philanthropic social work, sacrifice of income), silence (sacrifice of speech), and asceticism (bare minimum living, sacrifice of comfort).[62] Oldenberg notes that Brahmana scripture suggests that the Brahmachari should carry tapas to the very tip of his existence, which includes not cutting his hair, nail and beard.[63] Thus, during this process of spiritual rebirth and diksa, the tapas observed by a Brahmachari may include silence, fasting, seclusion, chastity, as well other activities. The goal of tapas is to help focus the Brahmachari on meditation, observation of reality, reflection and spiritual rebirth.[62] Brahmacharya and tapasya are interrelated, with the student life expected to simple and austere, dedicated to the learning.[64][65]
 
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Jainism[edit]
 
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Main article: Jain meditation
 
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Mahavira doing Tapas
 
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Tapas is a central concept in Jainism.[66] It refers to the spiritual practice of body mortification, penance and austerities, in order to burn away past karma and stop producing new karma, thereby reaching siddha (liberating oneself).[10] Ascetic Tapas among Jaina monks, both internal and external, is believed to be essential for spiritual growth and kevalya (moksha, liberation).[67][68] The details of the Tapas practices vary between the different traditions within Jainism.[67]
 
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The Jain text Sarvarthasiddhi, a commentary by Pujyapada, claims that the Hindu Samkhya school emphasizes "knowledge only, no practices", while the Vaisheshikas emphasize "practices only, no knowledge" as part of Tapas and the means of reaching moksha.[68] Another Jain text Tattvartha Sutra, by Umaswati, in chapter 9, asserts that Tapas includes several kinds of meditation.[68][69]
 
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The Tapas in Jainism include internal practices and external austerities.[70][71] External Tapas include fasting, tolerating hardships inflicted by other people or animals, tolerating all discomfort from weather by nakedness or near nakedness and the lack of any possessions, lack of shelter, walking and wandering alone without fearing anything and without hurting anyone.[70] The internal Tapas include words and inner thoughts (intent) that resonate with the external Tapas (action).[70] The list of internal and external austerities in Jainism vary with the text and tradition, with Tattvartha Sutra, Uttaradhyayana Sutra and Bhagavati Sutra stating:[71][69]
 
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Bahya Tapas (external austerities): fasting, abstinences, restraint in begging alms, renunciation of delicacies, self-mortification, retreat from the world.
 
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Abhyantara Tapas (internal austerities): penance, respect to elders, service to others, study, meditation, abandonment of the body in one's thoughts.
 
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In Jainism, Tapas implies a control on desires,[72] and is a form a self purification.[67] Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara undertook ascetic Tapas for twelve years, after which he attained Kevala Jnana (liberating supreme knowledge).[73][74]
 
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Ajivikas[edit]
 
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Ajivikas was another ancient Indian religion which survived through about 13th-century CE, but became extinct thereafter, in which Tapas was a central concept as a means of salvation.[75] According to Arthur Basham, the Ajivikas believed in the most rigorous ascetic practices in public.[76] They believed in not harming anything and not being a cause of hurt to any living creature or substance, so they ate refuse, waste products, went deep into forests, mountains or isolated caves to live their austere life.[76]
 
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One of the Buddhist canonical texts, Nanguttha Jataka, claims that the Ajivikas perform severe ascetic practices as part of their Tapas, including sleeping on a bed of thorns and other forms of self-mortification.[77] The Jainism text Sthananga Sutra claims that the Ajivikas performed severe penances and self-mortification as part of their Tapas practice.[78] A mention of the ascetic practices of Ajivikas is found in Chinese and Japanese Buddhist literature, where they are spelled as Ashibikas.[78]
 
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Ajivikas were a Śramaṇa religion, just like Buddhism and Jainism, and these competed with each other.[79] Most of the Ajivika texts have not survived. The Tapas practices of Ajivikas, as well as other information about them is primarily from the Buddhist and Jain texts; scholars question whether the description of Ajivikas has been fairly and completely summarized in these, or are these polemic misrepresentations.[80][81][82]
 
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Modern practice[edit]
 
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Modern mendicants pursue Tapas - meditation and study of religion in ashrams across India.[83]
 
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See also[edit]
 
−
Asceticism
 
−
Soma
 
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Hinduism, Buddhism
 
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Nirvana, Brahmacharya, Moksha
 
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Satyagraha, Gandhism
 
−
Ataptatanu
 
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Notes[edit]
 
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Jump up ^ A similar discussion contrasting Tapas in Buddhism and Jainism is found in Devadaha Sutta. The translations vary with scholars, with some translating Tapas in Jainism as asceticism, some as penance. Further, the opening varies: "ascetics and Brahmins", or "contemplatives and Brahmins", or "recluses and Brahmins", with former meaning those who seek salvation but do not preach, the latter meaning those who seek salvation and also preach. See: Piotr Balcerowicz (2015) ibid; Piya Tan (2005), Devadaha Sutta, Living Word of the Buddha, volume 18, number 4, pages 46-47 with footnotes 52-58; Padmanabh S. Jaini (2001), Collected Papers on Buddhist Studies, Motilal Banarsidass, page 123
 
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Jump up ^ The optional ascetic practices are not mentioned in the Buddhist Vinaya texts, but listed in some Sila texts, where they are called Dhutanga (Tibetan: sbyang pa'i yan lag, Japanese: zudagyo, Chinese: toutouxing). An illustrative list of thirteen permissible ascetic practices for Buddhists, attributed to Buddha are, according to Buswell and Lopez:[27] [1] wearing clothes made from discarded clothing; [2] wearing only three robes; [3] alms seeking; [4] not begging food only at those houses that provide good food, but also begging at homes that do not; [5] eating daily once, in one sitting; [6] not eating sangha food, but only what one gathered in a bowl after begging; [7] refusing more food; [8] dwelling in a forest; [9] dwelling at the root of a tree; [10] dwelling in open air with tent made from one's own robe; [11] dwelling in cremation ground; [12] dwelling anywhere and being satisfied with it; [13] repeatedly sleeping only in a sitting position without ever lying down. In other Buddhist texts, the list varies, and in some cases allowed ascetic practices for monks include wearing only clothes made from coarse hemp or wool. Ascetic practices were suggested particularly for those Buddhist monks who were found to be greedy or of deluded character.[27]
 
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References[edit]
 
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Jump up ^ Lowitz, L., & Datta, R. (2004). Sacred Sanskrit Words: For Yoga, Chant, and Meditation. Stone Bridge Press, Inc.; see Tapas or tapasya in Sanskrit means, the conditioning of the body through the proper kinds and amounts of diet, rest, bodily training, meditation, etc., to bring it to the greatest possible state of creative power. It involves practicing the art of controlling materialistic desires to attain moksha.Yoga, Meditation on Om, Tapas, and Turiya in the principal Upanishads, Chicago
 
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Jump up ^ M. Eliade, Rites and Symbols of Initiation, Harper and Row, New York, pages 53-57
 
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Jump up ^ Mundaka Upanishad Robert Hume, Oxford University Press, p. 374
 
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Jump up ^ A Vedic concordance, Maurice Bloomfield, Harvard University Press, pp. 402-404
 
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Latest revision as of 23:46, 5 July 2023

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Talk on Tapas in Bhagavad Geeta

Tapas (Samskrit: तपस्) refers to the mode of self-discipline, prescribed to bring the body and mind under control.[1] It is training of the mind to achieve equanimity.[2] It is one of the five Niyamas (religious observances) recommended by Maharshi Patanjali as part of the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. The basis of Tapas (austerity) is achara (regulation of daily life). Tapas along with Svadhyaya (studying and understanding of scriptures) and Ishvara Pranidhana (worship of the Supreme and surrendering the fruit of actions to the Supreme) constitute Kriya Yoga that purifies the mind, attenuates or thins out the five afflictions (Pancha kleshas) and leads to Samadhi.[3]

Conceptual Overview

The word Tapas is derived from the root word 'tap' and signifies warmth. The Upanishadic usage of the term 'tapas' throws light on the various meanings that can be attached to the word. The aspects thus, associated with the concept of Tapas include,

  • Austerity

तपसा ब्रह्म विजिज्ञासस्व । तपो ब्रह्मेति...[4]

Here, Varuna says, "Through austerity know Brahman is austerity".

  • Knowledge and Circumspection

स तपोऽतप्यत । स तपस्तप्त्वा । इदँ सर्वमसृजत ।[5]

It means that the Supreme Being created everything having performed tapas. Here, Shanka

racharya in his commentary explains the term 'tapas' as knowledge and circumspection.

तप इति ज्ञानमुच्यते।[6]

  • Brahman
  • Burning

स तपोऽतप्यत । तस्य श्रान्तस्य तप्तस्य यशो वीर्यमुदक्रामत् ।[7]

Meaning: He practised austerity, while he thus rested and heated, fame and vigour went forth.

Here, tapas literally means burning. In fact, the root tap is used to mean ' to burn' even in the Rgveda. (ref 8.102.16)

  • Glow caused by concentration of mental energy

अजो भागस्तपसा तं तपस्व तं ते शोचिस्तपतु तं ते अर्चिः ।...॥४॥[8]

In the Rgveda, the root tap is used in the sense of warmth or glow.

  • Passing through fierce fires
  • Being stripped of everything we possess
  • Restraint
  • Penance
  • Enduring illness without moaning
  • Faith

तद्य इत्थं विदुः । ये चेमेऽरण्ये श्रद्धा तप इत्युपासते तेऽर्चिषमभिसम्भवन्त्यर्चिषो...[9]

So those who know this and who in the forest meditate on faith as austerity go to light and from light..

This gives rise to two broad types of Tapas.

The first type inclusive of austerity (consisting of abegation and self-mortification), burning, glow caused by concentration of mental energy, passing through fierce fires, being stripped of everything that we possess, restraint, penance and celibate chastity is physical in nature. The second type inclusive of knowledge and circumspection, Brahman (ie. probably a means of achieving direct experience of Brahman), non-censure (for illness or death falling to one's lot) and lack of bemoaning one's misfortune of being ill or the possibility of death ie. (developing) an equanimity of mind and faith, all of which seem to be necessary for a truly religious and socially useful life, can be considered the essence of tapas.[2]

त्रिविधं तपः ॥ Threefold Tapa

The 17th Chapter (Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita prescribes three kinds of austerities that purify the heart rapidly. They are,

  • शारीरं तप or Physical Tapas that constitutes worship of the Supreme, the brahmanas, the teachers and the wise, purity, straightforwardness, self restraint and harmlessness.
  • वाङ्मयं तप or Verbal Tapas that constitutes speech causing no annoyance, truthful and beneficial and the practice of the study of the scriptures.
  • मानसं तप or Mental Tapas that constitutes mental happiness, equilibrium, silence, self-control and purity of nature.[10] Wherein, silence refers to control of thought which precedes the silence of the tongue.[1] And self-control refers to controlling the mind by detaching it from sense enjoyment.[11]

देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् । ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ॥१७.१४॥

अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् । स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ॥१७.१५॥

मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः । भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥१७.१६॥[12]

devadvijaguruprājñapūjanaṁ śaucamārjavam । brahmacaryamahiṁsā ca śārīraṁ tapa ucyate ॥17.14॥

anudvegakaraṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priyahitaṁ ca yat । svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅmayaṁ tapa ucyate ॥17.15॥

manaḥ prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunamātmavinigrahaḥ । bhāvasaṁśuddhirityetattapo mānasamucyate ॥17.16॥

त्रिगुणाः तपश्च ॥ Trigunas and Tapa

The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 17, Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga) further describes these three kinds of Tapa with respect to the Trigunas that influence the nature and choice of an individual.[1] It says, the threefold austerity (ie. Sharira, Vangmaya and Manasa Tapa) when performed by people with firm belief, without desire for fruit, being harmonised, is known as pure or Sattvika.

श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः । अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ॥१७.१७॥[12] śraddhayā parayā taptaṁ tapastattrividhaṁ naraiḥ । aphalākāṅkṣibhiryuktaiḥ sāttvikaṁ paricakṣate ॥17.17॥

It is well known that Rshi Vishvamitra became a Brahma Rshi through vigorous Tapas while, Rshi Markendeya changed his destiny through Tapas and worship of Shiva.[13] However, Tapas performed out of pride in order to gain respect, honour and reverence is said to be Rajasika in nature. And its result is uncertain and transient.[11][1]

सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत् । क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम् ॥१७.१८॥[12] satkāramānapūjārthaṁ tapo dambhena caiva yat । kriyate tadiha proktaṁ rājasaṁ calamadhruvam ॥17.18॥

While, Penance performed out of foolishness, with Self-torture or to destroy or injure others, is said to be in the mode of ignorance or Tamasika.[11]

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः । परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥१७.१९॥[12] mūḍhagrāheṇātmano yatpīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ । parasyotsādanārthaṁ vā tattāmasamudāhr̥tam ॥17.19॥

There are instances of foolish penance undertaken by demons like Hiranyakashipu, who performed austere penances to become immortal and kill the demigods. He prayed to Brahma for such things but ultimately he was killed by the Supreme Being. Therefore, to undergo penances for something which is impossible is certainly in the mode of ignorance.[11]

अर्थव्याप्तिः ॥ Conceptual Overlay

The Bhagavad Gita mentions that one must always perform yajna, dana, tapa and karma.

यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् । यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ॥१८.५॥[14] yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyaṁ kāryameva tat । yajño dānaṁ tapaścaiva pāvanāni manīṣiṇām ॥18.5॥

It should be noted here that when one gives away something (as dana), one may suffer some loss but that may be considered tyaga, which is considered a kind of tapas. Considering this complex relationship between dana and tapas, Prof. Bhawuk, in his research, proposes that dana and tapas are interrelated constructs and can be visualised as occupying a common semantic space. Similarly, all activities (karma) done for lokasamgraha or for the good of people too may be considered tyaga or tapas.[10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Swami Nikhilananda (1944), The Bhagavad Gita, New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Anant Balwant Marathe (2011), The Socio-Religious Implications of Vanaprastha and Samnyasa, Delhi: New Bharatiya Book Corporation.
  3. ↑ Swami Sivananda (1999), All About Hinduism, Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.
  4. ↑ Taittiriya Upanishad, Bhrguvalli (Anuvaka 2)
  5. ↑ Taittiriya Upanishad, Brahmanandavalli, Anuvaka 6
  6. ↑ Taittiriya Upanishad (Shankara bhashya)
  7. ↑ Brhadaranyaka Upanishad (Adhyaya 1)
  8. ↑ Rgveda, Mandala 10, Sukta 16
  9. ↑ Chandogya Upanishad (Adhyaya 5)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Dharm P. S. Bhawuk, Sraddha: Construct Definition from the Bhagavad-Gita, SAGE Journals, Volume 32, Issue 1.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1998), Bhagavad Gita As It Is, USA: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 17 (Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga)
  13. ↑ Swami Sivananda Saraswati (1937), Practice of Bhakti Yoga, Amritsar: Editor, Ideal Home Magazine.
  14. ↑ Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga)
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