ਤਪੁ (tap)
Meaning: noun: Austerity, penance
Quote:
ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਤਪਾਂ ਸਿਰਿ ਤਪੁ ਸਾਰੁ॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ (ਦੱਸੀ-ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਈ) ਸੇਵਾ (ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਉਣੀ) ਹੀ ਤਪਾਂ ਸਿਰ ਸ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਟ ਤਪ ਹੈ।
gur sevaa tapaaṅ sir tap saar.
Serving (acting as instructed by) the Guru is the supreme penance of all penances. -Guru Amar Das, Guru Granth Sahib, 423
Message: There are many traditions of undergoing penance in different faiths. To some, it is repentance of sins; while others hold that repentance is embracing ethical or moral attitude. In some Indian traditions, acts of hardship committed on oneself (fasting, walking on fire, lying on heated rocks or standing in cold water, etc.) as part of an ascetic way of life are considered penance. This is done in order to attain a higher form of mental awareness or favours from gods.
Gurbani, however, warns against such practices of a physical nature. The Gurbani’s connotations of penance (tap) are different. Leading a life of purity and service to humanity is considered to be the highest penance (as this requires a high level of discipline and moral integrity – penance suggests some restraint). Hence, it asks us to be in the service of the Guru, i.e. to seek the advice of the Guru and act upon it.
When we allow the wisdom of the Guru to take root in our mind, our awareness goes to a higher level. We are enlightened. This brings true spiritual elevation and helps us to shed our ignorance, negativity and bad behaviour. The Divine is in our reach now and suffering is removed.
Etymology: From Sanskrit tapas (religious austerity, heat, pain), which comes from Sanskrit tap (to heat, to shine, to suffer, to strive, to repent) → Pali tapo (austerity, torment). Comparable to Russian tap (to warm, to heat, to melt) and Persian tapeedan, from tap (to heat, to writhe).
