Paryushan parv- Day seven-Uttam Tap or Supreme Penance
AnupamaJain
Tapa - Penance or Austerities (To practice austerities putting a check on all worldly allurements The purpose of penance is to keep longings and fervors in control. Over-indulgence inevitably leads to unhappiness. Penance leads to an incursion of positive Karmas .Penance are austerity. This is self control by way of fasting, meditation, study, etc. The control is aimed to elevate the soul above the pleasures and aches of our life. Penance or Austerities have a special place in the Jain code of conduct. There are twelve types of austerities or penance. The first six are considered exterior penances because they are mainly corporeal austerities. The remaining six are inner as the majority of them are connected with the intellect and our feelings towards others.
The twelve austerities are as follows-
The first six are termed as external types and the remaining six are internal types.
1) Fasting - carried out according to the firm regulations laid down by Jain religious teachers.
2) Eating in restraint- this is for good health too.
3) discarding feelings of voracity. (having limitation in the number of items one consumes)
4) Eating without feelings of affection to food.
5) Self-imposed hardships to train one's mind.
6) Control of the body and senses.
The six internal types of austerities are-
1) The repentance of transgressions.
2) Showing modesty and reverence for spiritual leaders.
3) Serving sacred leaders
4) Studying good books.
5) contemplation
6) Observing cerebral kausagga ( i.e. feeling the separation of the body and soul through Jain-yoga practices