Three types of Tapas - Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic

Chapter 7 - Kriya Yoga 

Day 56 

There are three types of tapas - sattvic, rajasic and tamasic.

Sattvic tapas is one in which you are not even aware that you are doing it. You are just part of the phenomenon. The world today is a phenomenon and you are just a part of that phenomenon. 

Where do you exist? There may be so many waves or ripples in a lake but it is ridiculous if each one of them thinks that it is existing as a wave. When a wind blows, so many waves arises, and they all subside a little later. 

And one wave calls itself Jyothi, another is Michel, and there would be others - David, Dev and Lillian. Those limited waves have been given different names. And all these waves will subside in a few years, and new waves will arise. One goes through this fire of life with this awareness. This is Sattvic Tapas. 

There are those who practices with a desire to achieve something. They have this motive even when they are doing some service or seva. And, this has a mixed effect. This is Rajasic Tapas - the tapas a person does to show off. One may fast, meditate or do great service but broadcast it, as well. 

So the tapas is done with pomp and show, with 'I'-ness. Tamasic is the demonic tapas, where people torture themselves, because they cannot torture others. If you torture yourself, nobody will question you. They put nails all over the body and walk on fire.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji 

PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS