Like 𝙖𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙖𝙖𝙧 , there are few words to explain  𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝. 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 and 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 are intrinsically understood in all Indian cultures. As a compromise, it is translated as austerity or penance. Krishna says that 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 is of three types -of body, of speech and of mind.

Krishna says, "The worship of the 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙨 , twice-born (first physical birth and later spiritual awakening), gurus , and wise; purity, uprightness, celibacy, and non-violence are considered 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 of body (17.14). Meditative communion with self, and uttering words that cause no agitation, that are truthful, pleasant, and beneficial are declared as 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 of speech (17.15). The serenity of mind, kindliness, silence, self-control, and purity of character are declared as 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 of mind" (17.16). These verses elevate our general understanding of 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 in that they can be performed at the level of body, at the level of words we speak and at the level of our thoughts.

After describing three types of 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 , Krishna explains them in the context of 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙨 and says,"This threefold 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 is 𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙞𝙠 in nature when practiced by devout men with 𝙨𝙝𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙝𝙖 and desiring no fruit of actions (17.17). The 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 is said to be 𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙘 when performed to gain reverence, recognition, adoration and with ostentation; and is unstable and transitory (17.18). The 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 that is performed based on ignorance or foolishness involving torturing the self or harming others, is described as 𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙘 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 " (17.19).

On an earlier occasion, while explaining about the path to reach him, Krishna used the word 𝙜𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙖-𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 and said, "sanctified by the asceticism of wisdom (𝙜𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙖-𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝) , disengaged from attachment, fear and ire ( 𝙫𝙚𝙚𝙩-𝙧𝙖𝙖𝙜, 𝙗𝙝𝙖𝙮 and 𝙠𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙝 ), engrossed and sheltered in Me, many beings have attained My nature (4.10). When all these 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 are performed with gyan one attains HIM who is 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖-𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙝 .

https://epaper.dailyworld.in/Details.aspx?id=142268&boxid=78071&uid=&dat=2024-07-21