A Critical Appreciation of Austerity in Ancient Indian Literature

The book A Critical appreciation of austerity in ancient Indian Literature presents a fundamental requirement of human nature, and it is a discipline by which human beings can attain the spiritual idea or the highest spiritual aim. The saints train their minds and bodies in their life. Among all countries of the world, India is regarded as one of the sources of culture and civilization. She gives her heritage, such as religion, philosophy, literature, art, etc., which flows down from an ancient time to people at present time. Her great ancient wisdom leads people to be enlightened in their minds. Austerity is one of the most important factor of Indian culture. Austerity consists of various aspects, such as ancient ideas, beliefs, practices, etc. However, the concept of austerity can be divided into four dimensions, viz. Tapes, mentioned in Vedic Literature and other religious texts. From their study, we find that the idea of tapas has developed and changed from time to time continuously. Tapas has two aspects-negative and positive. Self-mortification, self-torture or self-denial are regarded as the negative aspects of tapas. Self-control, self-discipline or self-training are regarded as the positive aspect. Vairagya is an attitude of genuine dispassion and freedom from worldly desires. It is the essential means for attainment of wisdom. The idea of Vairagya leads to withdrawal from worldly life. Then it is regarded as the foundation of Samnyas life. Samyasa is renunciation of the world or an abandonment of all worldly bonds, such as family, wealth, etc. One who is in Samnyas stage gives up all worldly ties, desires, and he devotes himself to develop his spirituality for release from the cycle of rebirth and for obtainment of the highest spiritual aim, Moksa., Yoga is regarded as an art of meditation. It is closely related with tapas and performed for achieving physical and mental powers. In the previous time, Yoga was a means for attaining supernatural power. It was developed to become a system of Philosophy and a technique of spiritual enlightenment in the later time. So, in the development of austerity in India. We find that these four dimensions increase their importance from time to time till they become and specific forms of processes and disciplines of Indian asceticism. From this study, we conclude that in ancient Indian Literature, there were two different currents of principal ideas, that is Brahmanical idea and ascetic idea. Therefore, the newly developed religion at that time, such as Jainism and Buddhism, also contain the ascetic idea or asceticism. In the course of time, the Brahmanism absorbs the ascetic idea in its development. Though the Brahmanism is developed to the Hinduism in the later time, yet the ascetic ideas or asceticism still plays an important role in Hinduism as well as in Jainism and Buddhism, Indian Life and Society till the modern time.