Over the course of September in Taos, the length of the day is rapidly decreasing. From the start to the end of the month, the length of the day decreases by 1 hour, 6 minutes, implying an average daily decrease of 2 minutes, 16 seconds, and weekly decrease of 15 minutes, 55 seconds.
Tapas is a Sanskrit word that means to heat. It also connotes certain spiritual practices in Indian religions. In Jainism, it refers to asceticism (austerities, body mortification); in Buddhism to spiritual practices including meditation and self-discipline; and in the different traditions within Hinduism it refers to a spectrum of practices ranging from asceticism, inner cleansing to self-discipline.
Etymology and meaning. Tapas is based on the root Tap (à¤¤à¤ªà¥) meaning to heat, to give out warmth, to shine, to burn. The term evolves to also mean to suffer, to mortify the body, undergo penance in order to burn away past karma and liberate oneself. The term Tapas means warmth, heat, fire. The meaning of the word evolves in ancient Indian literature. The earliest discussions of tapas, and compound words from the root tap (Sanskrit: à¤¤à¤ª) relate to the heat necessary for biological birth.