In order to understand the role of Tapashcharya in Indian spiritual Sadhana, one must become familiar with the basics of the Divine Law of Karma. Scriptures proclaim that the souls inhabiting the physical forms of all living organisms (flora and fauna) in the cosmos are immortal and constantly in a state of progressive evolution. In the series of numerous cycles of reincarnations the soul attains successive higher stages of spiritual evolution. In each life, nature selectively provides the soul with the physical form it deserves. Ultimately, in man the Homo sapiens, the soul acquires the most dexterous morphology and intelligence to work independently for its own progress. Hereafter, the man’s own Karma (physical, mental, emotional interactions with other beings) decides his future in the next life. In this way, all happiness as well as misery in one’s life is the reaction resultant of sum and total of deeds done by an individual in his previous cycles of life.
In this way the ‘Law of Karma’ fully endorses Darwin’s theory of evolution of species that “ the origin of species is derived by descent with variation from portent forms through the natural selection of those best adapted to survive in the struggle for existence.” The “Law of Karma” goes even a step further in describing the future course of evolution, in which man will continue to evolve as a progressively more intelligent and morally elevated individual. The concept of “Age of Truth” in Bible and “Advent of Satyug” in Indian spirituality refers to this prophesied phenomenon of the 21st century.
Scriptures assert that the Creator is absolutely just and impartial in genesis and governance of His creation. The maxim ‘Everyone is born a sinner’ means that all of us has to bear the consequences of our Karma in earlier lives. The inequality of physical, mental, emotional, social status of man in the present life is purely the consequence of his own Karma in earlier lives. Thus, Law of Karma explains the phenomena of: a rare congenital deformity of an individual in family, birth of an idiot or genius in several generations and the wide variance of inherent traits amongst brothers and sisters born of the same parents. Wisdom inherited from previous births can be the only explanation for prodigies like Mozart, who became a composer at the age of 8 years. Saint Gyaneshwar who wrote his famous commentary on Gita at the age of 16 years and Guru Nanak who composed the Shabads when he was only 10 years old. The list is endless. At times great souls in this world are found facing problems. Events like crucifixion of Jesus, immolation of Joan of Arc, administration of hemlock to Socrates, violent deaths of Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi are God’s way of neutralizing the backlog of Karma in this very life for clearing the way for peace and happiness (or redemption) in the next. The untimely death of young persons is also ascribed to the misuse of the particular organ in previous life and considered as ‘temporary suspension of license’ by the Supreme Judge. Misery, poverty, loss and disease are likewise attributed to that cosmic law of impartial justice. Elevated souls, however, bear miseries like the labour pains of a woman, who happily endures the discomfiture in expectation of the baby to be born.
This brings us to the subject of Tapashcharya (Abbrevation – Tap). Tap is comparable to the process of purification of metal in a blast furnace. On performing Tap, sins accumulated in course of numerous cycles of previous lives, which, otherwise, would have resulted in miseries in many succeeding ones and are neutralized in this very span of life after creating minor disturbances. In this way the path of Heaven and redemption is cleared of obstacles.
However, deliverance from sin is not the only advantage of Tap. On performance of Tap a powerful energy is generated from within. Spirituality identifies it as Divine power (Daivi Vidyutshakti), personal magnetism (Atm Tej) or the power of Tap (Tapobal). This new source of energy acts as a catalyst in activating the latent energies of inner-self and develops celestial attributes. Many positive traits like alacrity, zeal, courage, patience, farsightedness, discipline and inclination towards righteousness become distinctly discernible. Tap is the panacea for getting rid of bad traits inherited from Karma in previous lives as well as retrogressive characteristics of nature and harmful addictions. Scriptures are full of narratives of saints and demons taking recourse to Tap for achieving some particular adjective by invoking spiritual powers. Tap is the process of churning (Manthan) of inner self, which, like cream from milk, brings out powerful spiritual elements from within.
Broadly speaking, Tap means voluntarily abstaining from indulgence in gross pleasure-giving pursuits of body, speech and mind. The kinds of Tap prescribed in Gayatri Sadhana are very efficacious. There are Twelve Rashis of the Sun and an equal number of ‘Tapashcharyas in Gayatri Sadhana’. One or more amongst these may be performed according to one’s own environment, inclination and convenience. If desired, one may take up one of the following Taps each, in a particular month of the year. Taking up the simpler ones in the beginning for shorter durations, one can, with practice, conveniently endure the more difficult ones for longer periods.
Twelve Fold Gayatri Tap
Aswad Tap: (Partaking Of Tasteless Food )
Salt and sugar are the two main ingredients of taste in food. In absence of either of these, the dish becomes tasteless. Generally people are accustomed to taking delicious foods. Only a spiritually awakened and detached (Satvik) person would like to take food devoid of salt or sugar. With progressive contentment with tasteless food, there is commensurate enhancement in the purity (righteousness) of thoughts, words and deeds.
To begin with, this experiment should be carried out for short durations of a week, a month or a season. The beginner should not attempt it for longer periods.
Titeekcha Tap: (Forbearance of Natural Heat and Cold)
Wearing minimum clothes during winter (Dhoti-Dupatta or kurta in warm countries), covering oneself with light insulatory covers (e.g. a rug) in the night, using fresh water (at body temperature) instead of hot water for bath, avoiding heaters for warming constitute Titeekcha Tap in winter. Not using fans, chilled food and drinks and umbrellas come under Titeekcha Tap in summer.
Karshan Tap: (Total Self Dependence in Daily Routine)
Karshan Tap involves depending on one’s own effort for fulfilling daily requirements of the body and enduring routine inconveniences; Rising an hour or two before sunrise for daily routine; preparing one’s own food, self-service, taking minimum help from others for personal requirements; not using leather-goods; sleeping on floor; using service plates made if natural substances (petal, banana leaves, disposable paper plates); not using animals for conveyance; wearing cotton garments; walking instead of using a vehicle wherever possible are included in Karshan Tap.
Upvas: (Fasting)
To begin with, let one of the two main meals consist of fruit-products and the other of routine cereals. The next step is to get accustomed to milk and fruit products. Those desirous of restricting their diet to milk and butter milk may partake these, a number of times. During a fast one must take plenty of water even when not feeling thirsty. Deficiency of water during a fast creates constipation. Adding sugar, lemon or carbonate to water would further help in keeping fit.
Gavya Kalpa Tap: (Depending On Cow-Products)
Cow is considered a sacred animal in India, because of the subtle physical-mental-emotional health promoting radiations emanating from its body and also for the various life-sustaining materials produced by it. Taking cows out for grazing and attending to their needs was considered a noble work in ancient times.
Milk and its products like curd, buttermilk, butter oil, are found invigorating the body as well as mind. Massage with the urine of cow has proved to be helpful in curing skin diseases. It is also believed to be a blood purifying tonic. On burning cow-dung cakes a subtle energy is produced. The Sadhak is advised to use cow-milk products for food, cow-dung cakes for heating milk and cows-urine for massaging the body. This routine brings about a sort of metamorphosis in body-chemistry. Use of leather goods is forbidden.
Pradatavya Tap: (Utilization of Labor-Time-Talents-Money-Resources for Social Welfare Activities)
All assets of man in this world are products of three gifts of God i.e. body, mind and time. With appropriate utilization of these natural assets man achieves everything in life. Hence, one must express his gratitude to the Creator by donating a part of one’s physical capability, intellect and time for other centered noble activities. The minimum one can do is to donate to the needy a fraction of one’s earnings in cash or kind. The practice of Tithe amongst Christians, Zakat amongst Muslims and Daan amongst Hindus serves this very purpose. Ideally, one should make maximum contribution towards helping others and making them progressive, virtuous and spiritually evolved (Satvik) Well-to-do persons may donate money for welfare activities. However, contribution of one’s labor, time, intellect, wisdom, skill and cooperation are no less significant. Scriptures consider charity as the best means for making amends for earnings made by unfair means.
Donations made to an undeserving person for a wrong cause are not appropriate. Sub-human species such as cows, ants, birds are also worthy of receiving help in the form of food and water. Scriptures are full of statements in praise of chantry. The vedas decree: “May you earn with hundred hands and give by a thousand ones”.
Nishkasan Tap: (Making a Confession)
Amongst the rituals for absolution (Prayashchit), confession is most significant. Retaining immoral thoughts and memories of sins in mind pollutes the field of mental activity. It is as harmful for mind as acute constipation is for body. Revelation of bad deeds acts like a “Spiritual enema” It cleans the mind by driving out polluted thoughts. One may similarly share his experiences if hardships miseries, ambitions and perceptions with trusted friends who are large hearted, have proper understanding and who could be depended upon to keep to themselves what has been shared with them. One should attempt seeking forgiveness for wrongdoings, making up for loss caused or Satisfying the aggrieved person in whatever way it is possible. The minimum one can do is to clear one’s conscience before the Guru, priest or a trusted friend. In this context it is advisable to keep a daily record in a personal diary for a month at a time.
Sadhana Tap: (Recitation of Gayatri Mantra And Performing Gayatri Yagya)
Chanting of Gayatri Mantra 24 thousand times in 9 days, one lakh twenty-five thousand times in 40 day, Gayatri Yagya, Gayatri Yog, Purashcharan, worship etc. lighten the reactions of sins and enhance virtues. The semi-educated persons may recite “Gayatri Chalisa” everyday for elevating their spiritual status.
Brahmacharya Tap: (Continence)
Abstention from sex and keeping the mind free of thoughts about sex-related things promote spiritual health. The best way to follow this practice is to keep one’s thoughts focused on noble spiritual and ethical subjects. It serves three objectives: evolution of soul, piety and conservation of spiritual energy. For Gayatri worshippers it is useful in all respects.
Chandrayan Tap: (Regulating Meals According to the Phases of the Moon)
It is a specialized type of Upvas in which the total quantity of daily intake of meals is increased and decreased according to the phases of the moon. If after long durations in other types of Upvas one is not careful and over eats undesirable food, there is likelihood of grave sickness. In Chandrayan Vrat, there is no such danger. The fast begins from the full-moon day. Thereafter each day of waning one sixteenth of the total consumption of an average meal is reduced from the preceding day’s diet. In this way for two days – one moonless night and the next, no food is taken. Thereafter, in the next fortnight in reverse order, with the increasing phases of moon, the food intake is increased i.e. adding one sixteenth each day. Till on the full-moon day it is full-meal. Throughout the period of this Tap (i.e. full moon to full moon) a routine of self discipline, contemplation on scriptures, and company of virtuous persons, upright behaviour and Gayatri Sadhana Zealously followed.
It is advised to begin with a semi-Chandrayan Vrat of 15 days duration. In course of this latter Tap one eighth of food is reduced each day and there after one eighth increased daily.
Maun Tap: (Silence)
Keeping silent is an effective way for conservation of personal energies. It has many advantages. There is an augmentation in the inner-strength (Atma-bal) and in spiritual attributes of the soul (Daivatva). By silence, concentration and peace of mind increases. While maintaining silence extroversion is converted into introversion which opens avenues for evolution of inner-self. Hence one should fix time for keeping silent daily or once in a week or in a month. Maun Tap may be followed for a few days or more at a stretch. One may choose the time and period of silence; one should spend as much time as possible in seclusion or in Contemplation.
Arjan Tap: (Striving To Acquire Ever Progressive Excellence in Wisdom, Knowledge, and Skills)
Increasing one’s own strength, qualification, competence, creativity and utility by studying, learning crafts, traveling, engagement in sports, music etc. is called Arjan Tap. As defined earlier, Tap is the process of voluntarily enduring the absence of comforts one is accustomed to. An industrious student too performs Arjan Tap, since foregoing comforts and suppressing desires he/she constantly follows in life a strict self-discipline. Arjan Tap must be carried out by everyone, in some way, throughout life. During a year at least some time must be devoted to this Tap, so that one becomes more and more competent for greater welfare of the society.
Source: JAP-TAP-DHYAN The Triple Path of Sadhana
