तपःस्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि क्रियायोगः॥१॥
tapaH=austerity; svaadhyaaya=self-study; IshvarapraNidhaanaani=surrender to Ishwara; kriyaayogaH=Kriya Yoga (yoga of action)
Taimni
"Austerity, self-study and resignation to Ishvara constitute preliminary yoga"
Since these three elements of Kriya Yoga are the same as the last three of the five Niyamas, the question is why Patanjali decided to place these at two different places. The main reason is that these three serve as a preparation ground so that the yogi is ready to take on other elements of a yoga practice. For a yoga aspirant, a mere intention to follow a yogic path is not enough – there needs to be adequate preparation before one can jump into a full yogic way of life. These three provide that launching pad for the aspirant.
It is interesting to note that the three elements correspond to the three human natures – tapas is related to the will, svadhyaya to the intellect and Ishvara Pranidhana to the emotions. This discipline, thus, produces an all-round and balanced growth of the individual. The word ‘kriya’ in ‘kriya yoga’ suggests that it is both a preliminary as well as a practical approach to yoga.
Aranya
"Tapas (austerity or sturdy self-discipline – mental, moral and physical), svadhyaya (repetition of sacred mantras or study of sacred literature) and Ishvara Pranidhana (complete surrender to God) are Kriya Yoga (yoga in the form of action)"
Self-discipline or austerities have to be practiced in order to cleanse the mind of its impurities. Tapas involves correct thinking, full control over one’s turbid emotions, clear understanding of moral values and consequent purification of one’s character. Svadhyaya means study of scriptures or repetition of a sacred mantra like OM. Ishvara Pranidhana means to surrender all actions to God, and abandoning all desires for the fruits of action.
Bryant
Yoga for a more advanced sadhaka, one whose mind is already under some control, was described in the Samadhi Pada. Therein, abhyasa (practice) and vairagya (dispassion) were given as two key means to attain the goals of yoga. In the second chapter, Sadhana Pada, Patanjali provides the means of yoga, called Kriya Yoga, for someone whose Rajas and Tamas are dominant and is more action oriented.
Tapas means control of the senses – the ‘sattvicizing’ of sensual engagement. Self discipline, or tapas, is required to cleanse the mind of all kleshas (afflictions) which are created through association with sense objects. The ascetic practices should not be so extreme as to weaken the body and disturb the mind. Tapas is generally associated with celibacy, service to the guru, performance of duty, tolerance to extremes, controlling intake of food, renouncing sensual actions which bring only momentary pleasure etc.
Vyasa defines ‘svadhyaya’Â as japa, repetition of a sacred mantra such as OM, and the study of scriptures. Ishvara-pranidhana refers to dedicating all actions to God and the renunciation of the fruits of actions. The concept of Ishvara-pranidhana mentioned in this chapter is slightly different from the one in chapter 1. In chapter 1, Ishvara was introduced as an object of one’s meditation so one can calm the mind. In the second chapter, Ishvara-pranidhana is used in the form of an action as defined above. Another difference to note is that in chapter 1, Ishvara-pranidhana was one of the optional means to attain calmness of mind. In chapter 2, it is an integral and essential part of kriya yoga.
Ishvara-pranidhana in Kriya yoga is similar to the concepts given in Bhagavad Gita under Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga. As per Gita (2.47) "you have a right to perform your duties, but not to their fruits; do not consider yourself to be the doer of your actions and do not become attached to inaction". Karma Yoga in gita is an action-oriented path which can help surmount to cycle of birth and death. Kriya Yoga incorporates three of the yogic paths in gita – karma yoga (taps), jnana yoga (svadhyaya) and bhakti yoga (Ishvara-pranidhana).
Discussion
According to many commentators, including Vyasa, there are three categories of sadhakas (yoga aspirants) – those who are already advanced in their spiritual development, those who have already started the practices of yoga (middle level) and those who are beginners but are desirous of progress in yoga. The chapter 1 is intended for the advanced level sadhaka. The main means to achieve mind control are Abhyasa and Vairagya while several others are mentioned to calm the mind. The practice of Kriya Yoga mentioned in 2.1 is intended for the middle level yogi while the practice of Ashtanga Yoga (8 limbs of yoga) mentioned later in chapter 2 (and continued in chapter 3) are meant for the rest of the sadhakas (beginner level).
It is interesting to note that Ishvara-pranidhana has been mentioned three times in the sutras. In chapter 1, it was given in the context of mind control where Ishvara was presented as the object of meditation. In this meditation, the symbol of OM (Pranava) was used for ‘japa’. In sutra 2.1, Ishvara-pranidhana has been given in the context of both karma yoga and bhakti yoga, specifically as a form of ‘action’ or kriya. Later in chapter 2, Ishvara-pranidhana is given as one of the five Niyamas where it is used in the context of self-discipline (niyama).
I think the most difficult concept to understand is that of ‘tapas’. A person who practices tapas is called a ‘tapasvi’. Traditionally, mention of the word tapasvi brings to mind a person who has given up all worldly desires and possessions, lives in a remote ashram and subsists on the bare minimum means of survival. This type of living can certainly not be applied in the modern context. I would think that tapas, for us, would mean toughening up the body and mind through self-discipline. This could include making and keeping one’s commitments to self and others, learning how to withstand hardships at all levels etc. Some of the forms of commitments could include:
- practicing yoga (asana, pranayama, meditation etc) on a daily basis
- fasting on a regular schedule
- donating to charity regularly
- giving up one or more of the most favorite items of sense enjoyment for a specific period etc. For example, you could give up watching your favorite TV show for two months, or give up your most favorite dessert for two months etc.
I think it will be nice to make a more comprehensive list of items that could be practiced as ‘tapas’ in the modern environment.