In Jainism, Ekashna (Ekāśan / Ekasan / Ekashan) means:

• Eating only once in a day
• In one sitting
• During daylight only (after sunrise and before sunset)

It is a type of tapas (austerity) done by both sadhus and lay Jains.

Main points of Ekashna

1. One meal only

- You decide one time in the day (usually late morning / noon). - You eat just once; after you get up from that sitting, your Ekashna for that day is over. - No other food for the rest of the day.

1. One sitting

- Sit in one place and finish your meal. - Once you stand up or move away, you cannot come back to eat again.

1. Daytime only

- Food is taken after sunrise and finished before sunset. - At night, there is no eating.

1. Simple, pure Jain food

- Strict vegetarian (no eggs). - Avoid himsak items like root vegetables (depending on your tradition), honey, alcohol, fermented foods, stale/leftover food, etc. - Aim is sanyam (restraint), not taste and variety.

1. Water (general traditional view)

- Usually boiled/filtered water only. - Many follow: water only in daytime; nothing after sunset. - Stricter practice: water only along with the meal, not before/after.

1. Purpose

- To reduce attachment to taste and comfort. - To support ahimsa, samyak darshan–jnan–charitra (right faith, knowledge, conduct). - Helps in nirjarā (shedding of karmas).

Shwetambar & Digambar – simple note

• Shwetambar:

- One simple meal in the day before sunset. - Boiled/filtered water usually allowed in daytime.

• Digambar (often called Ekabhukta):

- Very strict: one meal, very simple, only in daylight. - Many keep water only with the meal, nothing after.

If you want to see some practical Q&A and guidance on Ekashna, you can read more here