Tapas (Sanskrit: तपस्) is a variety of austere spiritual meditation practices in Indian religions
In Jainism, it means asceticism (austerities, body mortification); in Buddhism, it denotes spiritual practices including meditation and self-discipline; and in the different traditions within Hinduism it means a spectrum of practices ranging from asceticism, inner cleansing to self-discipline by meditation practices
The Tapas practice often involves solitude, and is a part of monastic practices that are believed to be a means to moksha (liberation, salvation)
In the Vedas literature of Hinduism, fusion words based on tapas are widely used to expound several spiritual concepts that develop through heat or inner energy, such as meditation, any process to reach special observations and insights, the spiritual ecstasy of a yogin or Tāpasa (a vṛddhi derivative meaning “a practitioner of austerities, an ascetic”), even warmth of sexual intimacy
In certain contexts, the term means penance, pious activity, as well as severe meditation