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Line 9: − + − # Austerity+ − + − + − # Burning+ − # Glow caused by concentration of mental energy+ − # Passing through fierce fires+ − # Being stripped of everything we possess+ − # Restraint+ − # Penance+ − # Enduring illness without moaning + − # Faith+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
→Conceptual Overview: Adding content with reference - to be edited
== Conceptual Overview ==
== Conceptual Overview ==
The word Tapas is derived from the root word 'tap' and signifies warmth. The aspects of Tapas include,
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
# Knowledge and Circumspection
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>
# Brahman
Here, Varuna says, "Through austerity know Brahman is austerity".
* Knowledge and Circumspection
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>
It means that the Supreme Being created everything having performed tapas. Here, Shankaracharya in his commentary explains the term 'tapas' as knowledge and circumspection.
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>
* Brahman
* Burning
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>
Meaning: He practised austerity, while he thus rested and heated, fame and vigour went forth.
Here, tapas literally means burning.
* Glow caused by concentration of mental energy
* 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...<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>
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.<ref name=":3" />
This gives rise to two broad types of Tapas.<ref name=":3" />
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.
== त्रिविधं तपः ॥ Threefold Tapa ==
== त्रिविधं तपः ॥ Threefold Tapa ==