According to Osho, austerities (tapas) practiced without insight mostly inflate the ego and breed ignorance. They become a subtle competition in status and holiness, nourishing vanity rather than awakening. True sainthood is rare; ritual severity usually masks craving for superiority. Real transformation comes from understanding, awareness, and humility—not from ascetic postures or public displays of sacrifice.
Doing tough religious acts often just makes you feel superior; real growth comes from being aware and humble.