How do I do varahui tapa
“Varahui tapa” almost certainly means Varshi‑tap / Varshi‑tapa (वर्षीतप) – the one‑year alternate‑day fast that many Jains complete with Akshay Tritiya parna.
I’ll explain it in very simple, practical steps.
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1. Basic idea of Varshi‑tap
- Duration: about 1 year (13 months–13 days), depending on tradition.
- Pattern: One day Upvas, next day Bhojan, again Upvas, again Bhojan… like this continuously.
Goal is not only to skip food, but to purify mind, speech, body through tapas, prarthana and dhyan.
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2. Before starting – very important
- Health check
- If you have any medical issue (diabetes, BP, etc.), first talk to a doctor and your Guru/pravachak. - Varshi‑tap is a mahatap – do not start just by emotion or group pressure.
- Take Pachchakkhan / Sankalp
- Go to a Sadhu/Sadhvi, Acharya, or guru of your tradition. - Take formal pachchakkhan for: - How long (1 year – Varshi‑tap) - Type of fast (Upvas with chaudihar, only boiled water, etc.) - On Bhojan day – ekasan or beasan, no raatri‑bhojan, etc.
- Decide where you will stay
- Ideally stay near derasar / upashray, so you can do: - Daily Samayik / Pratikraman - Swadhyay and Puja / Chaitya‑vandan - Avoid parties, heavy social functions, travelling that breaks niyam.
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3. Daily routine – simple pattern
A. Upvas day (Fasting day)
- Morning
- Food / Water
- Whole day
- Evening / Night
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B. Bhojan day (Eating day)
- Same spiritual routine as far as possible:
- Food rules (general)
Remember: Bhojan day is for “re‑strengthening body for next upvas”, not for enjoyment.
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4. Digambar & Shwetambar – small differences
- Both traditions keep Varshi‑tap.
- Digambar:
- Shwetambar:
Exact method can vary by gacch / sangh / guru – always follow your own Guru’s instructions.
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5. Completion (Parna) on Akshay Tritiya
Common practice:
- Last fast of Varshi‑tap ends, and on Akshay Tritiya (or pre‑decided tithi) you do parna:
The spiritual mood should be vinay & kshama, not show‑off.
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6. Practical tips
- Start with smaller tapas if you are new:
- Keep family informed and supportive – cooking niyam se, no forcing you to attend late‑night functions, etc.
- If you ever feel physically unsafe (fainting, very low BP, etc.), immediately stop fast and inform Guru & doctor – in Jain dharma, ahimsa (including self‑ahimsa) is highest.
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In short, to do Varshi‑tap:
- Take proper pachchakkhan from your Guru.
- Keep alternate‑day Upvas and Bhojan with strict Jain niyam.
- Add regular Samayik, Swadhyay, Pratikraman, and bhakti every day.
- Complete with bhav‑yukt parna on the decided tithi (often Akshay Tritiya).
If you tell me your tradition (Digambar / Shwetambar) and age / health, I can outline an even more specific daily schedule for you.