In Jain Dharma, tāpa / tapa means austerity, self-discipline, and purification through restraint.

Impact on the body

• It reduces attachment to comfort and indulgence.
• It makes the body disciplined and सरल.
• It helps burn karmic bondage through restraint of senses.
• Proper tapa should be done with balance and under guidance, so it supports spiritual life rather than harming the body.

Impact on the soul

• Tapa purifies the soul by reducing passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed.
• It weakens karma and helps stop new bondage.
• It increases vairagya (detachment), samyam (self-control), and shuddhi (inner purity).
• Ultimately, tapa supports the path toward moksha.

Jain view

In Jainism, the real purpose of tapa is not pain for its own sake, but inner purification. When practiced with right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, tapa becomes a powerful means for the upliftment of the soul.

If you want, I can also explain internal tapa and external tapa in Jain Dharma.