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Tapas (तपस्) (view source)

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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 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>{{#evu:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZuR6VlBukg&feature=youtu.be
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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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== 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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* Austerity
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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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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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It means that the Supreme Being created everything having performed tapas. Here, Shanka
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racharya in his commentary explains the term 'tapas' as knowledge and circumspection.
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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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Meaning: He practised austerity, while he thus rested and heated, fame and vigour went forth.
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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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In the Rgveda, the root tap is used in the sense of warmth or glow.
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* Passing through fierce fires
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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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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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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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This gives rise to two broad types of Tapas.
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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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== त्रिविधं तपः ॥ Threefold Tapa ==
 
== 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,  
 
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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== अर्थव्याप्तिः ॥ Conceptual Overlay ==
 
== अर्थव्याप्तिः ॥ Conceptual Overlay ==
 
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>
 
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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== References ==
 
== References ==
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