By Karnamrita Dasa <http://www.16rounds.com/author/karnamrita_dasa/> • April
15, 2011

There are three consecutive verses in the Bhagavad-gita which delineate
austerity of the body <http://www.16rounds.com/tag/body/>, speech, and the
mind. They are considered in the mode, or quality, of goodness, and are thus
favorable for the practice of spiritual
life<http://www.16rounds.com/tag/life/>.
Within these verses favorable practices for a spiritually balanced
life<http://www.16rounds.com/tag/life/> are
outlined.

"Austerity of the body <http://www.16rounds.com/tag/body/> consists in
expressing devotion to Godhead, the brahmanas, the spiritual teacher, and
superiors like the father and mother, and in cleanliness, simplicity,
celibacy and nonviolence."

"Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing,
beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting
Vedic literature."

"Satisfaction, simplicity, gravity, self-control, and purification of one's
existence are the austerities of the mind" [Bhagavad-gita 17.14-16]

Austerity is also one of the qualities attributed to the brahmanas, the
traditional Vedic teachers insociety <http://www.16rounds.com/tag/society/>:

"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty,
knowledge, wisdom, and religiousness — these are the natural qualities by
which the brahmanas work." [Bhagavad-gita 18.42]

And finally, austerity is considered one of the four basic principles of
spirituality given in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. They consist of austerity,
cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness. Although these principles can be
considered as corollary factors which support the most important practices
of devotional life <http://www.16rounds.com/tag/life/>, they are essential
principles which promote a pure lifestyle.

Although sometimes Srila
Prabhupada<http://www.16rounds.com/tag/prabhupada/> would
say that human life <http://www.16rounds.com/tag/life/> is meant for
austerity, on the path of devotion, we don't engage in greatly difficult and
austere practices like the traditional yogis do. From our perspective such
austerities can make the heart hard, while bhakti is about softening the
heart through loving Krishna. Our austerity is the natural austerity which
comes in relationship to service to Krishna. For example eating (or
honoring) the sanctified vegetarian food, although enjoyable, is also an
austerity, as one doesn't eat food that cannot be offered to Krishna.
Alcohol and meat are some of the foods that cannot be offered to Krishna as
they are considered impure and polluting. Once we become attracted to
Krishna and center our life <http://www.16rounds.com/tag/life/> on his
service, many activities fall away that we used to think nothing about
doing. Some would call this austere, but for a duamevotee it becomes a source
of joy. Such natural austerities help us fix our minds and hearts on Krishna
and make spiritual progress.

Austerity is source of joy for a devotee!