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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.