कर्शयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः | मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान् ||
karśayantaḥ śarīra-sthaṁ bhūta-grāmam acetasaḥ māṁ caivāntaḥ śarīra-sthaṁ tān viddhy āsura-niścayān
Translation
These senseless ones who torture the aggregate of elements in the body, and also torment Me who dwell within the body — know them to be of demoniac resolve.
Interpretation
Extreme ego-driven austerity that tortures the body is not merely self-harm — it tortures the Divine who dwells within. 'Mam caiva antah sharira-stham' — 'and also Me who dwell within the body.' This is a profound teaching: the body is not merely flesh to be punished but the temple of the living Divine. Every cell holds the Divine presence. Self-torture is thus not piety but impiety — a form of violence against the sacred. Genuine spirituality respects the body as the vehicle of the Divine and cares for it appropriately.