History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c71.s1.150

v5.c71.s1.150

*Tapas* (austerity) Even Ṛg X 154 2 speaks of *tapas* as leading to heaven and as unassailable. The Chān. Up V 10 1-2, Muṇḍaka Up I. 2 10-11 place *tapas* over *yajña* Gaut 19 15 says that celibacy,¹⁰¹ truthfulness, bathing thrice daily (in the morning, at noon and in the evening), wearing wet clothes (till they are dried on the body), sleeping on the ground (on a raised part or altar) and fasting constitute austerities Baud Dh S III 10 13 adds to these '*ahiṁsā*' (non-injury to any being), *asteyya* (not depriving any one of his property) and *guruśuśrūṣā* (attendance upon a teacher) Gaut. 19 17 states that the periods for which *tapas* is to be observed are a year, six months, four months, three months, two months, one (month), 24 days, 12 days, 6 days, 3 days, a day and a night (according to the nature of the sin). Manu XI. 239-241 declare that those guilty of mahāpātakas and others guilty of evil deeds are freed from sins by well-practised *tapas* and that whatever sins are committed by people in thought, word and bodily actions are all quickly burnt by *tapas* This doctrine is shared by the Jainas as stated in the Uttarādhyayana XXIX 27 'by austerities he cuts off karman' (S B. E. vol 45 p. 166).