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Jaina Philosophy and Religion
5. Tapa (Austerity) The importance and glory of the austerities like fasting (upavāsa), etc., depend on the noble purpose behind their observance as also on the purity of mental states. It is only on account of these two elements that fasting, etc., secure the glory of austerity. The noble-minded learned persons practise austerity as a pure spiritual effort to serve the masses and to bring to light the reality and truth covered under the veils of delusion, untruth, injustice and immorality. Thus, as their austerity has pure and auspicious purpose behind it and is associated with pure mental states, it becomes worthy of people's adoration and bestower of spiritual good. If a man gives up all the botheration of food with the purpose of practising yoga or meditation, controlling sense-organs, purifying mind, turning inward, attaining spiritual peace, reflecting on good thoughts, studying soul-ennobling works or performing any other good activity, then fasting is a spiritually beneficial austerity. Remaining constantly engaged in acquiring and imparting knowledge and learning, the saintly persons have composed spiritually elevating works; their devoted efforts to acquire knowledge, constant study of the praiseworthy philosophical and religious works, and the painstaking task of writing wholesome works—all this is one of the highest forms of austerity. To undertake a great good work, to think as to how it should be carried out successfully, to collect the required means and assistance, to persuade others to assist, to chalk out the plan, to execute it, and while doing all these, to forget hunger, thirst, bodily pains, exertion and to get completely engrossed in the task—this entire operation or business is also a form of austerity. Devoted and sincere efforts to make available the necessities of life, viz., water, etc., to the masses is again another form of austerity. Thus, all attempts to purify soul and mind of the defilements (passions and vices), and pure zeal for rendering service to others and performing other wholesome activities come under the category of austerity. Truthfulness of the veracious, continence of the continent, service of a servant, yogic practice of a yogi, meditation of a meditator, devotion of the devotee, study of the student, devotion to learning of the learned, teaching of the teacher, preaching of the preacher, philanthropic activity of the philanthropist—all these are austerity when done with pure heart. Not only that, but to do the allotted work honestly is also a case of austerity. Devotion to one's duty is also a form of austerity. The pleasure of a special order, which one derives from the practice of austerity is its beauty.
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