Answer

Ashtapad Tap is a Jain tapa connected with devotion toward Shri Adinath Bhagwan and the sacred Ashtapad Tirth. The exact vidhi can vary by Jain tradition, gaccha, sangh, and family practice, so it should ideally be done under the guidance of a learned sadhu-sadhvi, guru bhagwant, or local upadhyayji.

General Vidhi

A commonly followed devotional approach includes:

• Taking proper pachchakhkhan for the chosen tap according to one’s capacity.
• Maintaining shuddh bhav, humility, and devotion throughout the tap.
• Doing Samayik, Pratikraman, or other daily Jain spiritual practices as per one’s tradition.
• Remembering and worshipping Shri Adinath Bhagwan.
• Performing Chaitya Vandana and stavan/stuti with devotion.
• Observing food-related rules strictly according to the pachchakhkhan taken.
• Practicing ahimsa, satya, brahmacharya, forgiveness, and inner purity.
• Doing daan, seva, and bhakti according to one’s ability.
• Completing the tap with proper parna as guided by one’s guru or local Jain tradition.

Important Note

The detailed Ashtapad Tap vidhi, number of days, specific food rules, recitations, and parna method may differ. So it is best not to perform it only from a general description. Please confirm the exact vidhi from your Jain guru bhagwant or a trusted person in your sangh.

Spiritual Understanding

The purpose of Ashtapad Tap is not only fasting, but:

• to reduce attachment to the body,
• to increase devotion toward Arihant Bhagwan,
• to purify thoughts, speech, and actions,
• and to move closer to the path of samyak darshan, samyak jnan, and samyak charitra.

Takeaway

Ashtapad Tap should be performed with right guidance, right pachchakhkhan, pure conduct, and deep devotion toward Shri Adinath Bhagwan.