📿 Shloka Collection

Deva Dvija Guru Prajna

Gita 17.14 Bhagavad Gita
📖 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 17 — Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् ।
ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ॥
Deva dvija guru prajna pujanam shaucham arjavam,
Brahmacharyam ahimsa cha shareeram tapa uchyate.
देव
the devas (gods)
द्विज
the learned / twice-born
गुरु
the guru
प्राज्ञ
the wise
पूजनम्
honoring
शौचम्
purity / cleanliness
आर्जवम्
straightforwardness / simplicity
ब्रह्मचर्यम्
brahmacharya (celibacy / self-restraint)
अहिंसा
non-violence
शारीरम्
of the body
तपः
austerity

Krishna now introduces three dimensions of austerity — body, speech, and mind. This shloka covers the body. Physical austerity means: honoring the devas, scholars, teachers, and wise elders. Maintaining cleanliness of body and surroundings. Behaving with straightforward simplicity. Practicing brahmacharya (self-restraint). And causing no harm to any living being.

None of this requires retreating to a forest. Respecting elders, keeping oneself and one's home clean, being honest in conduct, exercising self-discipline, and being kind to all creatures — these are the five pillars of bodily austerity.

An elderly woman who does her daily puja, keeps her home spotless, treats everyone with warmth, and lives with quiet discipline — she practices sharira-tapas every day without naming it.

Shlokas 17.14, 17.15, and 17.16 describe the three dimensions of austerity — body, speech, and mind. Krishna redefines tapas here: austerity is not about punishing the body. It is about disciplining the body, speech, and mind with care and intention.

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