The Great Tapasya of Parvati

In this booklet the reader will discover an extract from Kalidasa's epic, KUMARASAMBHAVA. In the canto presented here, the poet describes the Great Tapasya of Parvati. As Sri Aurobindo says, it implies " a fierce and strong effort of all the human powers towards any given end."

The Tapasya includes three stages. Firstly, one clearly sees and comprehends that a sacrifice is necessary to achieve one's object. Secondly, one determines to give oneself in sacrifice, integral self-giving, concentration of the will, and gathering of all the different parts of the being around one's purpose are included in this stage. When this is achieved, the desired object is finally attained and the Tapaswin or Tapaswini experiences a feeling of renewed energy, inner fulfilment and harmony.