upwas explained to non-jain person

In Jainism, "upwas" (also spelled "upvaas") means fasting, which is an important spiritual practice. It involves voluntarily abstaining from all or certain types of food and sometimes water for a specific period, usually a day or more. The main purpose of upwas is not just physical abstinence from food, but to purify the mind, reduce passions (kashayas), and help control desires. This helps in reducing karma (the effects of past actions) and aids spiritual progress.

Upwas is usually observed on special days, such as Paryushan, certain lunar days, or on personal occasions. During upwas, Jains focus on prayer, meditation, reading scriptures, and self-discipline. The practice encourages compassion, as it reminds us of the suffering of living beings and helps cultivate non-attachment (aparigraha) and self-restraint.

Fasting is done according to one's capacity; some may abstain from all food and water (nirjal upwas), while others may take only boiled water during the day (chauvihar upwas). The goal is spiritual purification, not just skipping meals.