Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 17.14 देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम्
श्लोक 17.14
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् ।
ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ॥
devadvijaguruprājñapūjanaṃ śaucamārjavam |
brahmacaryamahiṃsā ca śārīraṃ tapa ucyate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
देवता, ब्राह्मण, गुरु और ज्ञानीजनों का सम्मान, पवित्रता, सरलता, ब्रह्मचर्य और अहिंसा, यह शरीर का तप कहलाता है।
Meaning in English
Honouring the gods, the twice-born, teachers and the wise, together with cleanliness, straightforwardness, celibacy and non-violence, is called austerity of the body.
Bhagavad Gita 17.14 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनम् | deva-dvija-guru-prājña-pūjanam | honouring the gods, the twice-born, teachers and the wise |
| शौचम् | śaucam | purity, cleanliness |
| आर्जवम् | ārjavam | straightforwardness |
| ब्रह्मचर्यम् | brahmacaryam | self-restraint, chastity |
| अहिंसा | ahiṃsā | non-violence |
| च | ca | and |
| शारीरम् | śārīram | of the body |
| तपः | tapaḥ | austerity |
| उच्यते | ucyate | is called |
Explanation
Honouring the gods, the twice-born, teachers and the wise; cleanliness, straightforwardness, self-restraint and non-violence: these are called austerity of the body. After warning against harsh self-torment, Krishna gives a positive picture of tapas. Bodily discipline is not about suffering but about respectful, clean, honest and harmless conduct.
Verses 17.14–16 present a celebrated threefold scheme of austerity: of body, speech and mind. Shankara explains prājña as those who know the Self, and brahmacarya as restraint in sexual conduct. The honouring of elders and the wise is counted as bodily tapas because it is expressed through physical acts of reverence and service. Commentators note how this redefines tapas from dramatic hardship to steady, everyday self-control.
भावार्थ
देवता, द्विज, गुरु और ज्ञानी जनों का सम्मान, पवित्रता, सरलता, ब्रह्मचर्य और अहिंसा — इन्हें शरीर का तप कहा जाता है। तप का अर्थ कष्ट सहना नहीं, बल्कि दैनिक जीवन में आदर, स्वच्छता और संयम रखना है।
Living it today
Bodily discipline can be as simple as keeping clean, standing up for elders and avoiding harm. Small respectful acts done daily are real tapas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 17.14?
Honouring the gods, the twice-born, teachers and the wise; cleanliness, straightforwardness, self-restraint and non-violence: these are called austerity of the body. After warning against harsh self-torment, Krishna gives a positive picture of tapas. Bodily discipline is not about suffering but about respectful, clean, honest and harmless conduct.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 17.14?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 17 (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 17.14 in daily life?
Bodily discipline can be as simple as keeping clean, standing up for elders and avoiding harm. Small respectful acts done daily are real tapas.
Reflected on verse 17.14?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.