Dadavani Magazine - Penance in the vision of the Vitarags | July 2013 | Dadavani

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Penance in the vision of the Vitarags

In Hindu and Jain religion much emphasis is placed on penance (tapa). In giving a true understanding of tapa, the Vitarags have said that there are two kinds of tapa: laukik (worldly; relative) and alaukik (spiritual; real; beyond the world) tapa. One is external (bahya tapa) and the other is internal (antar tapa). External tapa is visible to the eyes and understood through intellect (buddhi), in it there is a state of doership of ‘I am doing it’ (karta bhaav). However internal tapa is not visible through the eyes. In the internal penance there is no karta bhaav but there is Gnata bhaav (state of Knowing). He, who wants worldly pleasures (sukha), should do external tapa. The one, who wants absolute freedom (moksha), does not need external tapa; he needs internal tapa, which arises naturally. To remain in equanimity when someone curses you, or insults you is called tapa. No matter how difficult the situation, if equanimity is not lost in the slightest, that is called tapa. To not do any kashayas, where kashayas (anger-pride-deceit-greed) are likely to occur, is called tapa. Only this inner tapa is beneficial for moksha. And should the ultimate goal of human life not indeed be to attain moksha?