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Chapter 4
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Various Austerities: Procedures, Codes and Purpose
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What is Tap (Austerity)?
Tap or austerity is a process of cleansing of the self or soul. In Ayurvedic medicine mercury is purified by heating (fire) and turned into a medicine that acts as a tonic to increase the strength and potency of the body. In the same way in the spiritual field the process of Tap is used to cleanse the soul and the body where the soul resides. It is mentioned in Uttaradhyayan Sutra that Tap purifies soul.
Besides being a cleansing process it is highly auspicious as well. According to Dashavaikalik Sutra (1/1)-Dharma is the best among propitious things. The attributes of Dharma are Ahimsa, Discipline and Tap (Austerities).
Tap is the instrument of uplift of soul. It purifies the body and the mind and boosts soul towards its lofty goal.
Tap is also the cause of acquiring many special powers. One who practices austerities gains numerous unique achievements which are called labdhi or special powers.
The reverse of 'Tap' is 'Pat' which means "to fall". This is an indication that he who does not do Tap or does Tap wrongly becomes defiled. In spiritual context, he falls.
The Purpose of Tap
Although it is true that Tap gives numerous special powers, but the basic and only purpose of Tap is shedding karmas and cleansing soul. Any Tap done for fulfillment of some wish or desire becomes heat or fire and scorches soul. It causes drifting in numerous dimensions in numerous births and its ultimate result is detrimental or destructive.
That is the reason that only the desireless Tap or the Tap done for purifying soul is considered to be beneficial.
Types of Tap
According to Uttaradhyayan Sutra and other Agams there are two broad classes of Tap-(1) Outer, and (2) Inner.
The outer Tap mainly purifies the outer mantle or the body, but at the same time it purifies the soul also. It becomes an instrument of liberation by imparting the capacity to indulge in inner Tap, which is the natural process of purifying soul.
Antakriddasha Mahima
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