Chapter 17 • Verse 14

देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम्। ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते॥

deva-dvija-guru-prājña-pūjanaṁ śhaucham ārjavam brahmacharyam ahiṁsā cha śhārīraṁ tapa uchyate

Meaning

Worship of the gods, the twice-born, teachers, and the wise; purity, uprightness, celibacy, and non-violence — this is called austerity of the body.

Physical austerity (tapas) includes: worshipping the divine and teachers, maintaining bodily purity, living with integrity, practicing appropriate celibacy, and non-violence. These bodily disciplines purify the physical being.

Strength Reflection

"I practice physical austerity: honor teachers, maintain purity, integrity, and non-violence."

Devotional Surrender

O Lord, help me discipline my body in worship, purity, and non-violence.