Austerity / Ascetic Heat (Tapas)
The 'heat' of austerity — voluntary hardship that burns away impurity and forges spiritual power.
Tapas literally means 'heat,' and it names the disciplined austerity by which a seeker burns away impurity and concentrates inner power. From the earliest Vedic hymns — where the cosmos itself is brooded into being through tapas — to the yogic observances, the principle is constant: voluntarily borne hardship, fasting, vigil, and self-restraint forge a refined and potent will. It is one of Patañjali's observances and a thread running through the whole ascetic side of the tradition.
Key passages(20)
This threefold austerity practised by steadfast men, with great Shraddhâ, desiring no fruit, is said to be Sâttvika.
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Vivekacūḍāmaṇi · Śaṅkara (traditionally ascribed; authorship doubted)
He desired to sacrifice again with a greater sacrifice. He toiled and performed penance. And while he toiled and performed penance, glorious power went out of him. Verily glorious power means the sen
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Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)
That Rishi said to them: "Stay here a year longer, with penance, abstinence, and faith; then you may ask questions according to your pleasure, and if we know them, we shall tell you all."
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He replied: "Pragâpati (the lord of creatures) was desirous of creatures (pragâh). He performed penance, and having performed penance, he produces a pair, matter (rayi) and spirit (prâna), thinking th
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Those very hymns of the Atharvângiras (as bees) brooded over the Itihâsa-purâna; and from it, thus brooded on, sprang as its (nectar) essence, fame, glory of countenance, vigour, strength, and health.
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As oil in seeds, as butter in cream, as water in (dry) river-beds , as fire in wood, so is the Self seized within the self, if man looks for him by truthfulness and penance ;
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Vivekacūḍāmaṇi · Śaṅkara (traditionally ascribed; authorship doubted)
What people call sacrifice (yagña), that is really abstinence (brahmakarya). For he who knows, obtains that (world of Brahman, which others obtain by sacrifice), by means of abstinence. What people
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He who (knows) him who was born first from the brooding heat (for he was born before the water), who, entering into the heart, abides therein, and was perceived from the elements. This is that.
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