|
Question: Oh Lord, How many different kinds of austerities are there?
Swamiji: Austerities are of three kinds – of body, speech and mind. Worship of Gods, Brahmanas, teachers and liberated souls; to maintain purity of body by cleansing with water and earth; activities performed by the body must be straightforward and simple, uprightness, continence and non-violence are the austerities of the body. (Gita 17:14) Question: What are the austerities of speech?
Swamiji: Not being offensive, being truthful, agreeable, using beneficial speech and practice and study of sacred texts and constant repetition of the Divine Name – this is called austerities of speech. (Gita 17:15)
Question: What are the austerities of the mind?
Swamiji: Cheerfulness of mind, serenity, meditating on God, self-control, purity of disposition – this is called austerities of mind. (Gita 17:16) If these austerities are performed with supreme faith, without desiring fruit, it is called pure austerities (Sattvika). (Gita 17:17)
Question: What are the austerities of the mind that are born of the mode of passion (Rajasik), Oh Lord?
Swamiji: The austerities that are practiced with the objective of winning respect, honor, and worship or for ostentation and is unstable and transitory in effect, is said to be driven by the mode of passion (rajasik). (Gita 17:18)
Question: What are the austerities of the mind that are born of ignorance (Tamasik)?
Swamiji: Austerities done with a deluded understanding with self-torture or with the objective of causing injury to others is born of ignorance (Tamasik). (Gita 17:19)
From “Gita Madhurya” in English pg 153 by Swami Ramsukhdasji |
|
|
Comments are closed.