aśhāstra-vihitaṁ ghoraṁ tapyante ye tapo janāḥ
dambhāhankāra-sanyuktāḥ kāma-rāga-balānvitāḥ
aśhāstra-vihitam — not enjoined by the scriptures;
ghoram — stern;
tapyante — perform;
ye — who;
tapaḥ — austerities;
janāḥ — people;
dambha — hypocrisy;
ahankāra — egotism;
sanyuktāḥ — possessed of;
kāma — desire;
rāga — attachment;
bala — force;
anvitāḥ — impelled by;
In this verse, we learn about certain people who do intense forms of self-discipline or austerities, but these aren't suggested by sacred texts like the scriptures. These activities are often extreme, something they make up themselves rather than following a divine path.
For instance, think about someone who decides to fast for long periods of time, not because they're spiritually inclined, but because they want to show off or gain attention in their community. This kind of fasting isn't mentioned in the scriptures as a way to grow spiritually; instead, it's being done for personal gain or recognition. The scriptures guide us to follow certain practices for genuine spiritual improvement, not for selfish reasons.
Now, let’s dig deeper into the reasons behind these actions. People who engage in such self-imposed and harsh austerities often do so out of pride or the need to appear superior to others. They may act like they are very humble, but inside, they crave acknowledgment and praise. They might want to be seen as more knowledgeable or more pious, even when their actions don't reflect true spiritual values. This is what is referred to as hypocrisy – they say one thing but do another.
Additionally, many of these people are driven by strong desires and attachments. They want power, respect, or control over others, which pushes them to perform these extreme actions. Rather than seeking true spiritual growth, their focus is on how others perceive them and what they can gain for themselves. Their approach is less about improvement and more about using their efforts to manipulate situations to their benefit.
These actions can also negatively affect those around them. When someone is engaged in self-centered austerities, it doesn’t just harm their spiritual journey; it can disturb the peace and well-being of others. People can feel pressured to follow similar extreme practices, or they may feel uncomfortable around such individuals who are loudly expressing their achievements.
In summary, this verse teaches us that true austerity should come from guidance, humility, and the genuine desire for spiritual growth, rather than from selfish motives, pride, or a need to impress others. When our actions are just for show and lack a solid foundation in scriptural teachings, they are seen as misguided and harmful.