بیت 17.1417.117.217.317.417.517.617.717.817.917.1017.1117.1217.1317.1417.1517.1617.1717.1817.1917.2017.2117.2217.2317.2417.2517.2617.2717.28

Worship of the gods, the twice-born, the teachers and the wise, purity, straightforwardness, celibacy and non-injury are called the austerities of the body.

Worship of the gods, the twice-born, teachers and the wise, purity, uprightness, continence and non-violence are called austerity of the body.

Krishna now explains austerity (tapas) in three forms: of body, speech and mind. Austerity of the body includes honouring the gods, the twice-born, teachers and the wise; purity; straightforwardness; continence (brahmacarya); and non-violence (ahiṃsā). This is a gentle and ethical idea of austerity, very different from the harsh self-torment criticised earlier in the chapter. Discipline of the body here means respectful, clean and harmless living rather than punishing the flesh.