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become the means of removing or shedding off of evil Karmas of previous lives
That which warms up the body is called Tapah. It is so called because blood, secretions, flesh, marrow, bones, semen, nervous system etc, and evil Karmas, are disintegrated and wasted away by it. The man who makes up his mind for acqul. ring worldly gains, after leading a scrupulously faaltless religious llfe, tries to breed up a Kalpa Vríkşa (the eternal Wishing Tree) and then, to barn it up.
The Tapaḥ should be practised with great delight of heart. It should not be done like some tollsome work wantonly Imposed by a tyrant king. Besides, it should be done strictly in accordance with one's own power of sustenance.
The Tapah should be carried on in such a way that, firstly, the stage Indriayas Sense-organs may not be endangered, secondly, the mind may not be led to vicious ideas, and thirdly, the activity of the mind, body, and speech may not be impaired. The wilful ignorant penance in the form of total abstention of food caused by non-acquisition of food-materlals on account of helplessness and want of independence, is not a penance as it is a source of evil Karmas, and a hot bed of anger, and other passions, but it is only the fruition of Hulatorate -Adată Védaniya Karma (the Karma of undergoing painful sufferings ) resulting from non-acquisition of wished-for objects on account of evil deeds in previous lives.
Voluntary abstinence from food and drink-materials, is Fouad Dravya Tahaḥ (Material penance) and meditation on the nature of the Soul, is an Bhāva Tapah (Sentimental penance) The sentimental penance should preferably be practised along with the drasya tapaḥ in accordance with one's strength. People who have an abhorrence towards worldly objects and who have a liking for spiritual knowledge do not feel this dravya tapah as burdensome. Just as, householders busy with acquiring wealth
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