- Others offer wealth, austerity and Yoga as sacrifice and again others, the ascetics of rigid vows offer study and knowledge as sacrifice. (4.28)
- And, I am the sweet fragrance in the earth, the brilliance in fire, life in all beings, and austerity in ascetics. (7.9)
- From me alone arise the varieties in the qualities amongst humans, such as intellect, knowledge, clarity of thought, forgiveness, truthfulness, control over the senses and mind, joy and sorrow, birth and death, fear and courage, non-violence, equanimity, contentment, austerity, charity, fame, and infamy. (10.4-10.5)
- The Lord said: Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, alms-giving, control of the senses, sacrifice, study of the Sastras, austerity, and straightforwardness. Harmlessness, truth, absence of anger, renunciation, peacefulness, absence of crookedness, compassion to beings, absence of greed, gentleness, modesty, and absence of fickleness. Energy, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of hatred, and absence of over-pride, (these qualities) belong to one born of a divine state. (16.1-16.3)
- Worship of the gods, of the twice-born, of teachers, and of the wise; cleanliness, uprightness, continence, and non-violence— these are said to be the austerity of the body. (17.14)
- Words that do not give offence and that are truthful, pleasant, and beneficial, and also the regular recitation of the Vedas— these are said to be the austerity of speech. (17.15)
- Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control, and purity of heart— these constitute the austerity of the mind. (17.16)
- This threefold austerity practised with supreme faith by steadfast men, without the desire for fruit, is said to be of the nature of sattva. (17.17)
- The austerity that is practised in order to gain respect, honour, and reverence, and for ostentation, is said to be of the nature of rajas. Its result is uncertain and transitory. (17.18)
- The austerity that is practised with a determination based on foolishness, by means of self-torture, or for the purpose of ruining another is declared to be of the nature of tamas. (17.19)
- Therefore the acts of sacrifice, gift, and austerity, enjoined by the scriptures, are always begun by the followers of the Vedas with the utterance of “Om.” (17.24)
- And with the utterance of “Tat,” and without seeking any recompense, are the various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and gift performed by those who seek liberation. (17.25)
- The word “Sat” is used to denote reality and goodness; and likewise, Ο Pārtha, the word “Sat” is used for an auspicious action. (17.26)
- Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and gift is also called “Sat”; and so too is any action connected therewith. (17.27)
- Whatever sacrifice or gift is made, whatever austerity is practised, whatever ceremony is observed— it is all called “asat,” “non-existent,” if it is done without faith. It is of no account here or hereafter. (17.28)
- Acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be abandoned; they should be performed indeed; sacrifice, charity, and austerity are purifiers for the thoughtful (who do not desire for fruits). (18.5)
- Control of the internal and external organs, austerity, purity, forgiveness, integrity, knowledge of the Sastras, direct experience of the truth, faith in God, Guru and the Scriptures are the duties of the Brahmins born of their own nature. (18.42)
- This is never to be spoken by you to one who is devoid of austerity, nor to one who is not devoted, nor to one who does not do service, nor to one who speaks ill of me. (18.67)