Chapter 17, Verse 14 (Bhagavad Gita 17.14)
Chapter 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog – Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith
Sanskrit Shloka
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम्।ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते
Transliteration
deva-dwija-guru-prājña- pūjanaṁ śhaucham ārjavam brahmacharyam ahinsā cha śhārīraṁ tapa uchyate
Word Meanings
deva—the Supreme Lord; dwija—the Brahmins; guru—the spiritual master; prājña—the elders; pūjanam—worship; śhaucham—cleanliness; ārjavam—simplicity; brahmacharyam—celibacy; ahinsā—non-violence; cha—and; śhārīram—of the body; tapaḥ—austerity; uchyate—is declared as
Translation
Worship of the gods, the twice-born, the teachers, and the wise; purity, straightforwardness, celibacy, and non-injury are all called the austerities of the body.
Meaning & Commentary
In this verse, Bhagwan Shri Krishna delineates the foundational discipline required for the purification of the physical vessel. By categorizing these actions as 'austerities of the body,' Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna that true spiritual practice begins with the outward conduct, aligning our physical presence with divine harmony. This disciplined lifestyle acts as a sacred bridge, transforming the material body into a temple fit for the indwelling Supreme Spirit. When a seeker practices these virtues, they quiet the turbulence of the senses, creating the necessary inner stillness to perceive the eternal truth of Shri Krishna. Ultimately, these physical austerities are the essential preparatory steps for the soul’s journey toward liberation and eternal communion with the Supreme Lord.