Answer

In Jain Dharma, Tap means austerity or disciplined spiritual practice performed to reduce attachment, control passions, and purify karma.

Examples such as Siddhitap, Shreni Tap, and Masakshaman are special forms of Jain tapasya involving fasting and disciplined observances.

Some well-known types of Tap include:

• Masakshaman
• Siddhitap
• Shreni Tap
• Varshitap
• Ayambil Oli
• Navpad Oli Tap
• Atthai
• Upvas
• Chauvihar Upvas
• Beyasanu / Ekasanu Tap
• Ekasan, Biyasana, Ayambil
• Chhath Tap
• Attham Tap
• Navkarsi / Porsi / Sadh Porsi related practices

Explanation

Here are some common Jain tapasya forms:

• Upvas: Complete fasting for one day, generally without food. Depending on the vow, water may be taken within permitted time or avoided.
• Chauvihar Upvas: Fasting with complete renunciation of food and water from sunset until sunrise, and often observed very strictly for the fasting period.
• Attham: Three continuous days of fasting.
• Atthai: Eight continuous days of fasting.
• Masakshaman: A very difficult tapasya of fasting for approximately one month, traditionally 30 days.
• Varshitap: A long tapasya traditionally connected with Bhagwan Rishabhdev. It is generally observed over one year with fasting on alternate days.
• Ayambil: Eating only one simple meal in the day, without taste-enhancing items such as oil, ghee, milk, curd, sweets, spices, fruits, and green vegetables, according to tradition.
• Ayambil Oli / Navpad Oli: A sacred observance of Ayambil performed for nine days, especially in devotion to Navpad.
• Siddhitap: A highly respected structured tapasya involving a progressive sequence of fasting and eating days. It is commonly associated with devotion, discipline, and spiritual purification.
• Shreni Tap: A structured tapasya performed in a step-by-step ascending or patterned sequence. The exact form may vary by tradition and guidance of the Guru.
• Ekasan: Eating only once in the day, in one sitting.
• Biyasana / Beyasanu: Eating twice in the day, within proper limits and discipline.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, Tap is not merely about physically avoiding food. Its true purpose is:

• To reduce attachment to taste and comfort
• To practice self-control
• To weaken passions such as anger, pride, deceit, and greed
• To develop awareness of the soul
• To support karma nirjara, the shedding of karmas

Jain scriptures describe Tap broadly as of two kinds:

• Bahya Tap — external austerities, such as fasting, eating less, limiting food, and bodily discipline.
• Abhyantar Tap — internal austerities, such as repentance, humility, service, study, meditation, and renunciation of ego.

Both are important. External Tap becomes spiritually powerful when joined with inner purity, right faith, forgiveness, humility, and awareness.

Takeaway

Siddhitap, Shreni Tap, Masakshaman, Varshitap, Ayambil, Atthai, Attham, and Upvas are different forms of Jain Tapasya. Their goal is not hardship for its own sake, but purification of the soul through restraint, detachment, discipline, and devotion. For difficult tapasya, one should always follow the guidance of a knowledgeable Guru or senior Jain practitioner.