Upwaas (upvaas) in Jainism means observing a vrata of restraint to purify the mind and actions. It is a voluntary practice of fasting and self-control aimed at reducing harm, increasing self-discipline, and moving toward spiritual clarity.

Key points you can use as a basic guide:

• Purpose: cultivate detachment from ordinary pleasures, support ahimsa (non-harm), and purify the soul.
• Duration: commonly observed for one day, but it can be extended to multiple days according to your ability, guidance from your guru, or your tradition.
• Food restrictions: many take a simpler, lighter regimen during upwaas. Some observe a complete fast (no solid food, sometimes no water for very strict practices), while others eat a small, simple meal or fruit-based meals (phalahar) that are easy to digest. In Jain practice, people often avoid root vegetables and heavy grains during fasts, but the exact rules can vary by community and guidance from your guru.
• Breathing and conduct: along with dietary restraint, upwaas often includes increased focus on ethical conduct, mindful speech, and gentle, non-harmful behavior.
• Break-fast (parana): when you end the fast, do so with a simple, respectful meal and take note of gratitude and the intent to continue virtuous practice.

Tradition differences (brief):

• Digambar and Shwetambar communities may have slightly different customs for upwaas, including what foods are permissible and how strictly to observe the fast. If you follow a particular lineage or have a guru, their guidance is the best source for the exact rules you should follow.

If you’d like, tell me:

• which Jain tradition you follow (Digambar or Shwetambar),
• how many days you plan to observe the upwaas, and
• what foods you intend to include or exclude.

I can tailor the guidance to that specific practice and explain the appropriate rules precisely.