देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् ।
ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ॥ १७.१४ ॥

devadvijaguruprājñapūjanam śaucamārjavam |
brahmacaryamahimsā ca śārīram tapa ucyate || 17.14 ||

Now Krishna goes on to specify the three levels and kinds of tapas, austerity – bodily, oral and mental. It is a significant pronouncement by Krishna.

Human being is not merely a bodily entity. Body is at best a material aggregate. The power that has shaped it, organizing various functions is far above matter and materiality. That is the one called Soul or Self. Mind, intelligence and ego are but the Soul’s expressions. The biological aggregate, called the body, is merely a complex instrument in the hands of the inner mind and intelligence. The inner counterpart is the basic, fundamental, in human personality. The external body just serves it.

For spiritual austerity to be effective, it has to be deep and wholesome. And for this, it has to involve inner faculties too. By doing so, the pursuit becomes constant, consistent and co-existential with the daily interactions.

Physical austerity is rather simple, easy to pursue. Oral too is likewise. But to enfold the mind in the pursuit of austerity is not so. Nonetheless, austerity will serve its real purpose only when it engages the mind in full measure.

Austerity – physical, oral and mind-based

Krishna outlines the pursuit of such a wholesome austerity, which alone will help spiritual seeking:

Worship of celestial deities, brāhmaṇas, Teacher and the Wise, being given to cleanliness, straightforwardness, and practice of celibacy, non-violence – all these together constitute bodily austerity.

Worship is very common. But normally it is more a bodily involvement. Obeisance to the supreme Reality, however colourful, will not fetch fulfillment unless it is allied, says Krishna, with a parallel note towards Brāhmaṇas, Teachers and Knowers.

Krishna was a kṣatriya. Why should he still speak so significantly about Brāhmaṇas? Brāhmaṇas are a select group who devote their life exclusively to spiritual study, austerity and the unique enrichment these bestow. Some amongst them become so exclusive in their pursuit that they imbibe the worth and integrity to impart knowledge to others around. In fact, these are the ones who come to be known as Teachers.

The society always has the need for such exclusive lovers of wisdom, with the added competence to impart it effectively to the students. Any society, to remain resourceful, should seek such esteemed Teachers to lead its thoughts, aspirations and goals.

Knowers of Truth, sthita-prajñas, sthita-dhīs and guṇātītas are the chosen ones who embody and reveal the greatness of the Soul as well as the magnificence of spiritual wisdom. All of them together constitute the spiritual backbone of our land and people.

Bodily austerity does not end with routine external worship. Purity of senses, mind, intelligence and ego forms an integral part of the worship process. Straightforwardness, scrupulously avoiding stealth and hypocrisy are also indispensable. Continence or celibacy forms another important limb. It is wrong to think that celibacy is exclusive to the unmarried. Married people must also abide by progressive, graduated celibacy as a healthy discipline and austerity. This will enhance the worth and pleasantness of married life.

Non-violence is another equally important part of austerity. To kill, hurt or otherwise harm or intercept any form of life is not permissible to the sound tenets of worship. All the practices Krishna details should equally be included and pursued faithfully and assiduously. Only then the bodily part of austerity will be wholesome and healthy.