Word of the Week
Word of the Week: Tapas
Tapas is one of the five Niyamas, inward observances, of Patañjali’s ashtanga yoga. The word literally means fire, heat or warmth but is often translated as austerity, asceticism, penance or mortification. I have also seen it translated as discipline, determination and willpower.
This one word, tapas, caused a rather abrupt but short lived debate at a recent training I attended. The teacher was teaching from Satchidananda’s translation of the Yoga Sutras. As we read the first sutra of book 2, the teacher wanted us to pay special attention to how Satchidananda translated the single word tapas: “accepting pain as help for purification.” Unbeknownst to us, a visiting scholar had slipped into the room and took great exception to this translation. An abrupt but short lived debate occurred and we returned to studying the Yoga Sutras. Since that day, I have given a great deal of thought to tapas.
Why didn’t Satchidananda just stick with the more traditional translations of the word? The scholar was correct in saying that there is no mention of pain in that sutra; so again, why translaste tapas as “accepting pain as help for purification?” Look at the first four traditional translations of tapas again: Austerity, asceticism, penance or mortification. The first two are the voluntary limiting or denial of creature comforts. Penance is a voluntarily accepted punishment and the last is often expressed as self-inflicted pain. What is the point of all four? They are designed to purify a person. Put them together and suddenly, tapas is accepting pain as help for purification.
Now that that is cleared up, go outside and smack yourself with a cactus . . . IT’S GOOD FOR YOU! That would be ridiculous, of course. Think about this for a few days: The purpose of yoga is to still the mind so the seer can exist in its own true nature; so, how does accepting pain as help for purification still the mind? Share your findings via the comments.
Here’s a quick preview of what’s coming next in the world of Shanta Yoga: “‘Yoga is the still of the modifications of the mind. Then the seer abides in its own true nature.’ What kind of crazy talk is that?!” Also, partnering with others to help improve students’ lives, what have I found for you now?
Jai Bhagwan!
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