In Jain Dharma, “best” tapas (austerities) are those that really purify the soul and reduce passions (kashāyas). Our scriptures mainly speak of 12 types of tapa – 6 external (bāhya) and 6 internal (ābhyantar).

---

1. Six External Tapas (Bāhya Tapa)

These are done with the body, connected to food and physical comfort:

1. Anashan – Fasting

- Not eating at all for a fixed time (e.g. ekāsan, upvas, attham, etc.).

1. Unodari – Eating less than hunger

- Always leaving some hunger; never eating till “full”.

1. Vritti-parisankhyān – Limiting food items

- Deciding in advance: “I will eat only this many items, from this place, in this way.”

1. Ras-parityāg – Giving up tasty/attachment-creating foods

- Avoiding sweets, fried, very spicy, etc., to reduce attachment to taste.

1. Vivikta-shayyāsan – Simple & separate place for sitting/sleeping

- Using simple bedding, avoiding luxury and comfort-seeking.

1. Kāyā-klesh – Bearing physical difficulties calmly

- Tolerating heat, cold, small discomforts without anger, complaint, or violence.

These are good, but only when done with right faith, non-violence, and humility. Otherwise they become just body-torture, not true tapa.

---

2. Six Internal Tapas (Ābhyantar Tapa)

Scriptures especially praise internal tapas as the highest/best, because they directly purify the inner self:

1. Prāyashchitta – Repentance & atonement

- Accepting one’s mistakes, feeling sincere regret, taking vows not to repeat, and doing proper pratikraman.

1. Vinay – Humility & respect

- Respecting gurus, elders, scriptures, and all souls; removing ego.

1. Vaiyāvṛittya – Selfless service

- Serving saints, sick, elders, and needy with pure intention, without pride or expectation.

1. Swādhyāy – Study of scriptures

- Regularly reading/listening to Jain āgamas, tattvas, and thinking deeply on them.

1. Dhyān – Right meditation

- Concentrating on the pure soul, on tattvas, on impermanence, and reducing passions.

1. Kāyotsarg – Leaving body-consciousness

- Standing/sitting still and focusing on “I am soul, separate from body,” with equanimity.

Among these, Prāyashchitta, Swādhyāy, Dhyān, and Kāyotsarg are often considered the most spiritually powerful, because they directly help in:

• Reducing karma bandha (bondage)
• Weakening anger, pride, deceit, greed
• Strengthening samyaktva (right faith) and inner peace

---

So, which tapas are “best”?

According to Jain Dharma:

• Internal tapas are higher than external tapas.
• The best tapas are those done with:

- Right faith (samyak darshan) - Non-violence and compassion - Humility, without ego (“I did great tapa”) - Aim of self-purification, not show-off or worldly gain

If you want to start practically:

• Do small fasts or eat less (unodari).
• Do daily pratikraman (prāyashchitta).
• Spend some time every day in swādhyāy and simple kāyotsarg.

These simple, steady practices become true tapa and are very highly praised in Jain Dharma.