Answer

In Jain Dharma, tap means austerity or spiritual discipline. It is practiced to reduce attachment, control desires, purify karma, and strengthen the soul.

Jain scriptures broadly classify tap into two main types:

• Bahya Tap – External austerities
• Abhyantar Tap – Internal austerities

Each has six types, making twelve types of tap in total.

1. Bahya Tap – External Austerities

• Anshan – Fasting
• Unodari – Eating less than one’s hunger
• Vritti Sankshep – Limiting the variety or manner of food intake
• Ras Tyag – Giving up tasty or stimulating foods
• Kaya Klesh – Enduring physical hardship with equanimity
• Sanlinata – Withdrawal of body and senses; solitude and restraint

2. Abhyantar Tap – Internal Austerities

• Prayashchitta – Repentance or atonement for mistakes
• Vinay – Humility and reverence
• Vaiyavritya – Service to saints, teachers, and the needy
• Swadhyaya – Study of scriptures and spiritual reflection
• Vyutsarga – Renunciation of attachment to the body and possessions
• Dhyana – Meditation and inner concentration

Spiritual Understanding

External tap helps control the body and senses, while internal tap purifies the mind and soul. In Jain Dharma, internal tap is considered especially important because true spiritual progress depends on reducing passions like anger, ego, deceit, and greed.

Takeaway

Tap is not merely physical hardship. Its true purpose is self-purification, karma shedding, and progress toward moksha.