Answer

Siddhi Tap is a well-known Jain tapasya performed with deep faith, discipline, and devotion. It is especially associated with spiritual purification, control over desires, reduction of karmas, and progress toward the soul’s true nature.

In simple terms, Siddhi Tap is a structured series of fasts and eating days, usually completed over a fixed sequence.

Basic Pattern of Siddhi Tap

The common form of Siddhi Tap is:

• 1 Upvas followed by 1 Biyasan
• 2 Upvas followed by 1 Biyasan
• 3 Upvas followed by 1 Biyasan
• 4 Upvas followed by 1 Biyasan
• 5 Upvas followed by 1 Biyasan
• 6 Upvas followed by 1 Biyasan
• 7 Upvas followed by 1 Biyasan
• 8 Upvas followed by 1 Biyasan

So the fasting sequence is:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 = 36 Upvas

Between each fasting group, there is one Biyasan day. Traditionally, this makes the complete tapasya:

• 36 days of Upvas
• 8 days of Biyasan
• Total: 44 days

What is Upvas?

Upvas means fasting for the whole day, generally without food. Depending on one’s vow and tradition, water may be taken according to proper Jain rules, or the fast may be done as Chauvihar Upvas, meaning no food and no water after sunset, and in stricter forms, no water at all for the day.

What is Biyasan?

Biyasan means eating only two times in the day, within proper Jain discipline. It is not a day of indulgence. It is observed with restraint, simplicity, and awareness.

A Biyasan day generally includes:

• Eating only twice
• No food between the two meals
• Following Jain food discipline
• Avoiding unnecessary taste attachment
• Maintaining spiritual focus

Example Schedule

Spiritual Purpose of Siddhi Tap

Siddhi Tap is not merely physical fasting. Its deeper purpose is:

• Karma Nirjara – shedding of accumulated karmas
• Indriya Niyantran – control over senses
• Ichchha Nirodh – reducing desires
• Atma Shuddhi – purification of the soul
• Samyambhav – cultivating discipline and restraint
• Bhakti – devotion toward Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, and Sadhu

Recommended Religious Practices During Siddhi Tap

During Siddhi Tap, one should try to increase spiritual activities such as:

• Navkar Mantra jaap
• Samayik
• Pratikraman
• Swadhyay
• Listening to pravachan
• Dev, Guru, Dharma bhakti
• Forgiveness and humility
• Avoiding anger, pride, deceit, and greed

Important Discipline

While doing Siddhi Tap, the person should maintain:

• Purity of food on Biyasan days
• Proper timing of meals
• Control over speech
• Peaceful thoughts
• Non-violence in conduct
• Avoidance of unnecessary worldly activities
• Respect for Jain maryada

Health and Guidance

Siddhi Tap is a very serious tapasya. It should be undertaken:

• With proper understanding
• With guidance from Guru Bhagwant or knowledgeable elders
• According to one’s health and capacity
• Without ego or competition

If the body is not capable, one should not force it. In Jain Dharma, the inner purity of intention is very important.

Can Everyone Do Siddhi Tap?

Not everyone is physically able to perform Siddhi Tap. Jain Dharma respects both shakti and bhavna.

If someone cannot do the full Siddhi Tap, they may do according to capacity, such as:

• Ayambil
• Ekasan
• Biyasan
• Upvas on selected days
• More Samayik, Swadhyay, or Navkar Mantra jaap

The goal is not pride in fasting, but purification of the soul.

Takeaway

Siddhi Tap is a powerful Jain tapasya consisting traditionally of 36 Upvas and 8 Biyasan days, totaling 44 days. Its real success lies not only in completing the fasts, but in developing humility, self-control, devotion, karma nirjara, and inner awareness of the soul.