Answer

In Jain Dharma, Nirjara means shedding of accumulated karma. One important way to begin Nirjara is through Tap — austerity practiced with right faith, humility, self-control, and non-attachment.

Jain tradition describes 12 types of Tap:

• 6 Bahya Tap — external austerities
• 6 Abhyantar Tap — internal austerities

6 Bahya Tap — External Austerities

• 1. Anashan — fasting; giving up food for a period of time.
• 2. Unodari / Avamodarya — eating less than one’s hunger.
• 3. Vritti-Sankshep — limiting food items, places, or conditions for accepting food.
• 4. Rasa-Tyag — giving up tasty foods or particular tastes, such as sweets, fried foods, milk products, etc.
• 5. Kaya-Klesh — patiently bearing physical hardship for spiritual discipline, without anger or ego.
• 6. Sanlinata / Vivikta-Shayyasana — solitude, withdrawal from distractions, and disciplined posture/resting place.

6 Abhyantar Tap — Internal Austerities

• 1. Prayaschitta — repentance and atonement for faults.
• 2. Vinay — humility and reverence toward Arihant, Siddha, Guru, Dharma, and elders.
• 3. Vaiyavrutya / Vaiyavritya — selfless service to saints, teachers, the sick, and needy beings.
• 4. Swadhyay — study and reflection on Jain scriptures and teachings.
• 5. Vyutsarga / Kayotsarga — detachment from the body through stillness and meditation.
• 6. Dhyan — meditation, especially pure contemplation that calms passions and attachment.

Simple Taps You Can Start With

• Navkarsi — eating only after a fixed time after sunrise, commonly after 48 minutes.
• Porsi — eating after about one prahar of the day.
• Ekasan — eating once in one sitting.
• Beasan — eating in two sittings.
• Ayambil — eating simple, tasteless food once, without rich ingredients.
• Upvas — fasting for one day.
• Chauvihar — avoiding food and water after sunset.
• Tivihar — avoiding food after sunset, while water may be allowed according to practice.
• Rasa-tyag — giving up one or more favorite tastes or foods.
• Maun — observing silence for a set time to control speech.
• Samayik — practicing equanimity for a fixed period.
• Pratikraman — repentance and purification for faults.
• Swadhyay — daily study of Jain teachings.
• Kayotsarga — stillness and detachment from the body.
• Dhyan — meditation on soul, non-violence, impermanence, and detachment.

Spiritual Understanding

Tap is not merely starving the body. In Jain Dharma, Tap becomes a cause of Nirjara when it reduces:

• anger
• ego
• deceit
• greed
• attachment to taste and comfort
• carelessness in conduct

If Tap is done with pride, comparison, anger, or desire for praise, its spiritual benefit is weakened. The inner attitude is very important.

How to Begin Safely

• Start with Chauvihar or Navkarsi.
• Then try Ekasan or Rasa-tyag.
• Add daily Samayik, Pratikraman, Swadhyay, and Kayotsarga.
• Do stronger Tap like Upvas, Ayambil, Attham, or longer fasts only according to your health and preferably with guidance from a Guru or experienced Jain practitioner.

Takeaway

To start Nirjara, begin with small, steady Tap done with humility, awareness, and control of passions. The best Tap is not just reducing food, but reducing attachment, ego, and karmic bondage.