Bhagavad Gita 17.19
मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः।परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्॥
mūḍha-grāheṇātmano yat pīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ parasyotsādanārthaṁ vā tat tāmasam udāhṛitam
Translation
That austerity done under a deluded understanding, with self-torture, or with the object of destroying another, that is declared of darkness.
What it means
Austerity performed with a deluded mind, with self-torture, or with the aim of harming another, is declared tamasic. Destructiveness does not become holy by being aimed inward or outward. The goal of the practice reveals its nature.
Try this today
Tamasic austerity: aimed at harming self or other - zeal without sense.
Something to reflect on
Has zeal without sense ever aimed my effort at harm - to myself or another?
Read it in Yathora