Tapasya, in its essence, signifies willingly enduring all hardships for a higher spiritual purpose. It involves bearing difficulties to attain spiritual goals, which are often beyond material desires. The ultimate aim of life, which even the divine cannot fulfill, is to attain the Supreme Being. To understand and establish a connection with them, we engage in tapasya.
The hardships we endure, such as observing fasts like Ekadashi or waking up early for Mangala Aarti Especially in winter, are forms of tapasya. Despite having alternatives, we voluntarily choose to endure these difficulties for the sake of attaining the divine. This voluntary endurance, choosing the path of discomfort over comfort for spiritual growth, is what tapasya is all about.
During festivals like Janmashtami, devotees observe fasts and engage in various forms of service. They do so willingly, with the sole aim of pleasing the divine. The fruits of such tapasya cannot be measured, as they directly attract the attention and grace of the Supreme. This form of tapasya is not merely a customary practice but a sincere effort to draw closer to the divine.
Srila Prabhupada emphasizes that tapasya should be performed according to scriptures and under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual teacher. It should not be based on personal whims or desires. Tapasya created by one's own mind or based on personal preferences tends to be of the mode of ignorance (tamas). Authentic tapasya is always done under the guidance of a qualified guru, following their instructions sincerely.
In conclusion, tapasya is an integral aspect of spiritual practice, involving willingly enduring hardships for spiritual growth and ultimately attaining the divine. It should always be performed authentically, following the guidance of a bona fide spiritual teacher, rather than based on personal inclinations.
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