Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 17 verse 14

Chapter 17 verse 14

 “Worship of the Supreme Lord, the Brahmins, the spiritual master, the wise, and the elders—when this is done with the observance of cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy, and non-violence—is declared as the austerity of the body.”

Who is austere through their body? Bhagwan answers thus-those who worship the Divine, Guru, elders who are following the path of sattva and persons who are followers of all aspects of Vedas (brahmanas not by birth but by action) and those who are pure, simple, celibate (except for procreation only) and non-violent in their actions. “Tapaha” is the word used for austerity. This word means burning deep meditation or just burning. Bhagwan points out that our actions should be able to burn down all impurities within and without us and let us to the path of the Divine.