Talk:Tapa- Vrata-Samskāra

By Vishal Agarwal

1. Tapa means to bear extremes (cold/heat etc.) and live an austere life with discipline and without luxuries and comforts.
2. Vrata is a short-term or a long-term vow (e.g. I will not eat meat on Tuesdays, or I will not eat it all my life).
3. Samskāras are the rites of passage (e.g. wedding).
4. All 3 must be done with a pure mind and with faith, not mechanically. The practitioner inspires people around him to participate in these religious activities as well.
5. They purify our bodies and minds, make us more disciplined and strong, and incline us mentally towards Dharm and Bhagavān.