On penance

There are many ways in which a man can attain a higher

spiritual plane, and penance is one of them, said Malayaman,

in a discourse.

And yet, not many do penance, because penance is difficult.

It requires moving away from familial ties, retiring to

the forest, eating simple food and observing silence. Clearly,

none of this is easy. The Tamil work Purapporul Venba

Maalai says that bathing several times a day, sleeping on

rough terrain, wearing rough garments, growing one’s hair

long, conducting yagas, living in the forest and thinking of

God throughout the day are the requirements of penance.

Trikadugam does not lay down such rules that would entail

physical discomfort, but the rules it lays down are no

less difficult than living in the forest and thinking of God all

the time. Trikadugam says one should not think wicked

thoughts or utter harsh words, and that one should speak

the truth always. Most of us are accustomed to uttering outright  lies, or speaking half-truths. Nor do we mind our

words. So Trikadugam’s prescriptions are bound to be difficult to adhere to.

Thirumurugatruppadai says that those who do penance

wear garments made of the bark of trees; they forego food

for many days, and are therefore skin and bones; they are

worthy of being saluted even by highly educated people.

Pattinathar says that even in winter, one should bathe in

cold water.

Thayumanavar says that to destroy the five foes (indriyas),

one should subject oneself to physical discomforts.

Sirupanchamoolam says that penance means forgiving those

who harm us, and giving up anger. Tiruvalluvar gives a very

simple definition. Refraining from harming others and bearing

one’s difficulties with fortitude is penance, according to

Tiruvalluvar.