Tap Tirate Hai

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Tap Tirate Hai" by Jayantsensuri, based on the provided excerpt:

The text emphasizes the paramount importance of tapa (asceticism/penance) in Jainism for achieving spiritual progress and liberation. It states that in the eternal cycle of the world, no living being has ever found lasting peace. True peace, according to Bhagwan Mahavir and the venerated Dhanna Angar, is attained through tapa.

Key points highlighted about tapa:

• Enhances Inner Radiance: Just as gold gains brilliance when heated in fire, tapa increases the soul's radiance. Those who subject their body and mind to tapas also experience growing inner light.
• Promotes Virtue: Tapa is a close companion to virtuous conduct (sheel) and self-control (sanyam). It helps in suppressing desires and lustful thoughts.
• Purifies Body, Mind, and Soul: Tapa is presented as a potent medicine that eradicates the diseases of the body, mind, and soul, leading to their purification.
• Achieves Spiritual Goals: Through tapas, one can attain liberation and even the karmic destiny for becoming a Tirthankar (spiritual conqueror). It is the means to acquire profound knowledge.
• Cultivates Concentration: Tapa is an infallible tool for stabilizing the mind, fostering intense concentration.
• Distinguishes True Tapa: The text criticizes those who perform mere external acts of penance without genuine internal commitment, such as fasting for show or eating excessively after a ritualistic fast. True tapa is about progressing towards self-realization.
• Requires Internal and External Aspects: Tapa is divided into six external types (bahya tapa) and six internal types (abhyantara tapa).
  • External Tapa: Anshan (fasting), Unodari (eating less), Vrittisankshep (limiting intake), Rasatyag (renouncing certain tastes/foods), Kayaklesh (enduring physical hardship), and Sanlinata (reducing worldly engagements).
  • Internal Tapa: Prayashchit (atonement), Vinay (humility/respect), Vaiyavachch (service), Swadhyay (self-study/scriptural study), Dhyan (meditation), and Kayotsarga (standing or sitting in meditation with complete detachment from the body).
• Inner Tapa is Primary: The text strongly advocates that internal tapa is the foundation and essence of external tapa. External acts of penance are infinitely more effective when performed with the inner commitment and purity of internal tapa.
• Beware of Ego: The text warns against pride and ego in tapa. Ego is a disease of the soul and deprives one of humility. Those who perform tapa with humility and without attachment achieve true progress.
• Overcomes Obstacles: Tapa helps overcome worldly afflictions, diseases, and sins from past and present lives.
• Fasting (Upavas) as Soul Communion: Upavas is defined as "upa samipe vasati atmanah iti upavas," meaning to reside close to the soul. It is a time for contemplating the soul and the divine, not for indulging in thoughts of food.
• Pledge (Pachchakkhan) is Crucial: Every act of tapa is performed with a vow (pachchakkhan). Even a simple vow like "Nokarsi" (abstaining from food after a certain time) can break the karmic bondage equivalent to a hundred thousand years in hell. The efficacy of more significant tapas undertaken with vows is immeasurable.
• Lord Mahavir's Example: The text cites Lord Mahavir's own rigorous penance of twelve and a half years after initiation as an example of extreme dedication to tapa.

In essence, "Tap Tirate Hai" champions tapa as the ultimate path to spiritual purification, self-realization, and ultimate liberation in Jainism, stressing the indispensable role of internal purity and sincere devotion alongside external practices.