Posted by
Astapad tap vidhi
Ashtapad Tap is a laukik (non‑scripturally fixed) Jain tap done in reverence of Ashtapad Parvat, the moksha‑bhumi of Shri Rishabhdev Bhagwan. Because it is laukik, exact vidhi always depends on your guru / sangh / pravachankar. I’ll give a simple, safe, traditionally‑aligned outline.
---
1. Basic idea of Ashtapad Tap
- Usually observed for 8 days (symbolic of “Ashta‑pad” – eight steps).
- Done with some form of niyam of food / upvās / āyambil +
- Main bhāva (inner feeling):
Both Śvetāmbara and Digambara accept such laukik taps in principle, but how many upvās / which niyams / which texts to recite can differ by tradition and guru.
---
2. General Niyam for 8 days (example pattern)
This is only a sample, not a fixed rule. Always take niyam as per your capacity and guru’s guidance.
Common patterns include, for 8 days:
- 8 days Ekasana (eat once a day, simple sāttvik food), or
- Mix of Upvās + Ekasana + Beasana, or
- For stronger tapasvis: some do Āyambil or a small series of Upvās.
General niyams often taken:
- No root vegetables, no green leafy veg (as per your tradition’s normal maryādā).
- Avoid fried / heavy food, sweets, stimulants.
- Tyāg of:
- Daily minimum 1 Samayik and 1 Pratikraman.
---
3. Daily Vidhi (common structure)
(A) Before starting – Prārambh Vidhi (Day 1, Morning)
- Snān & Shuddhi
- Bath, clean clothes (preferably white).
- Derāsar darshan / Ghar derasar
- Do Namaskar to Tīrthankar Bhagwan, Gurus and elders.
- Pachchakkhān / Niyam
- Sit in front of Bhagwan or Guru’s photo/mūrti. - Take niyam with folded hands, something like: - “Aaj se āṭh divas sudhā huṁ Ashtapad Tap karuṅgā/karūṅgī. Je niyam maine liye haiṅ, unhe pūri shraddhā se nibhaūṅgā.”
- Navkār Mantra
- Chant Navkār Mantra multiple times with dhyān.
- If available, Ashtapad Stavan / Stotra / Rishabhdev stavan.
---
(B) Daily Routine (Days 1–8)
Morning
- Snān, Shuddhi, Dev‑darshan
- Mūl Bhakti
- Navkār Mantra - Logassa / Uvasaggaharam / Jai Jinendra Stavan (as per tradition) - Stavan of Rishabhdev / Ashtapad if available.
- Samayik (at least 1 ghaḍī ~ 48 minutes)
- Sit in one place, maintain maun as much as possible. - Observe thoughts; avoid rāg–dveṣ.
- Swādhyāy
- Read / listen to: - Charitra of Rishabhdev Bhagwan - Kathā of Ashtapad Tirth - Granth / pustak on tap, dharm, or Navpad, etc.
Day‑time Conduct
- Follow your food niyam for that day:
- Eat only before sunset, in shuddh way, with Navkār and gratitude.
- Try to keep maximum maun or at least sojhi‑bhāṣā (careful speech).
- Avoid:
Evening
- Pratikraman
- As per your tradition (Avashyak / Sanjh pratikraman). - Repent for any faults of the day in bhāva se.
- Kayotsarg
- Few minutes in still posture; focus on the pure soul.
- Stuti / Arti / Mangal Path
- Do evening bhakti; again remember purpose of tap.
- Nidra (sleep) with dharm‑chintan
- Go to sleep with Navkār or dharm‑smaran.
---
4. 8th Day – Pūrti & Parnā Vidhi
On the last day (8th):
- Observe the decided tap for that day (often Upvās or Āyambil).
- Do special bhakti:
- Ashtapad / Rishabhdev stavan or path. - Extra samayik or longer swādhyāy if possible.
- After successful completion, do Pūrnā‑bhāva Kshamā‑yāchanā:
- Ask forgiveness from: - Bhagwan - Guru - Parents, family, samaj - All jīvas.
- Parnā (ending the tap):
- Preferably with guru / elderly shravak‑shravika’s āshiṣ. - Take very simple, light food with Navkār.
- Offer dān / bhakti as per your capacity:
- Derāsar, sadhu‑sadhvi / gurubhakt, upāśraya, or poor/needy Jains. - Do it without ego: only as karm‑nirjarā.
---
5. Digambar & Śvetāmbar note
- Both traditions honor Ashtapad Tirth and the ideal of tap.
- Ashtapad Tap itself is a laukik, sangh‑based tap:
So for doing actual tap, always:
- Take mārga‑darshan from your own Guru or local Jain Āchārya / Pravachankar.
- Choose niyam according to health, age, and capacity.
---
For more details on tap and its importance, you can read here and also general information on tap here
