YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • February 2018YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • February 2018^1717‘Tapa is the capacity to bear the
opposites,’ says Dr. Jayadeva.
The Sanskrit word ‘Tapa’ used by
Maharishi Patanjali in Sadhana Pada
of Yoga Sutras means the practice of
conserving energy and directing it
towards the goal of yoga. Tapa is the
chief weapon for a beginner. Maharishi
Patanjali has given great importance
to Tapa and kept it in the beginning
of ‘Kriya Yoga’. Swami Vivekanand
says Tapa means control of senses. If
we allow our body and organs to do
whatever they like, we cannot progress
in any field. Through Tapa we should
keep our body and organs under
proper control.In the ‘Ramacharit Manas’ of sage
Tulsidas, Mother Goddess Parvati
says, “Only by virtue of Tapa, Lord
Brahma creates the universe, Lord
Vishnu protects the whole world and
Lord Siva brings about dissolution.”Lord Krishna explains in
detail the real meaning of Tapa in the
17th and 18th chapter of the Bhagvad
Gita. Tapa is classified in three parts -
(1) Tapa of the body (2) Tapa of the
speech (3) Tapa of the mind.(1). Worship of God, teachers, elders
and liberated souls with purity,uprightness, celibacy and non violence
comes under Tapa of body (Gita 17.14).(2). The spoken words which give no
offence, which are truthful, pleasant
and beneficial and the regular study of
sacred scriptures are called the Tapa of
speech (Gita 17.15).(3). Cheerfulness of mind, gentleness,
calmness and contemplation, self
control, purity of thought are called
the Tapa of mind (Gita 17.16).In 17.16, the Lord uses the following
words while explaining Tapa of mind:- Manaprasad: Cheerfuless of mind.
The methods of remaining cheerful
are:
a. One should be free from attachment
and aversion to people and
circumstances.
b. One should not be partial, out of
selfishness and pride.
c. One should be full of divine traits,
such as compassion, forgiveness,
generosity, etc.
d. One should have a feeling for the
welfare of all beings. - Saumyatavam: Placidity
A person who remains free
from feeling of violence, cruelty,
ruthlessness, ferocity, jealousy, etc. is
apa and Gita
T
Murarilal Dhanuka
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