Chapter 17 • Verse 5
अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः। दम्भाहंकारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः॥
aśhāstra-vihitaṁ ghoraṁ tapyante ye tapo janāḥ dambhāhaṅkāra-saṁyuktāḥ kāma-rāga-balānvitāḥ
Meaning
Those who perform severe austerities not enjoined by the scriptures, given to hypocrisy and egotism, impelled by desire and attachment...
Some perform extreme, non-scriptural austerities driven by ego, hypocrisy, desire, and attachment. Such practices, however severe, are not spiritual but ego-driven. True austerity follows wisdom, not willfulness.
Strength Reflection
"I practice proper austerities guided by wisdom, not extreme ego-driven ones."
Devotional Surrender
O Lord, guide my austerities according to Your wisdom, not my ego.