Bhagavad Gita 17.19
mūḍhagrāheṇātmano yatpīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ | parasyotsādanārthaṃ vā tattāmasamudāhṛtam ||17-19||
mūḍhagrāheṇātmano yatpīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ | parasyotsādanārthaṃ vā tattāmasamudāhṛtam ||17-19||
Meaning
17.19 That austerity which is undertaken with a foolish intent, by causing pain to oneself, or for the destruction of others-that is said to be born of tamas.
Commentary
17.19 मूढग्राहेण out of a foolish notion? आत्मनः of the self? यत् which? पीडया with torture? क्रियते is practised? तपः austerity? परस्य of another? उत्सादनार्थम् for the purpose of destroying? वा or? तत् that? तामसम् Tamasic? उदाहृतम् is declared.Commentary Some burn sulphur in a pot and place it on their head. Some thrust hooks of iron into their flesh. Some hang themselves with their head downwards over fire and swallow smoke. Some stand in cold water immersed up to the neck. Some torture the body by lighting fires on the four sides (with the sun as the fifth fire — this is known as the Panchagni Tapas). Some sit in the centre of a circle of fire. Such austerities are Tamasic. These will not help one to attain knowledge of the Self.
Meanings are compiled and edited by the Ved Path team, and are being progressively reviewed for accuracy.
