Masakshaman (Maskhaman) is a very uttam, but very tough tapa – about 30 days of continuous upvas. Because it is so strong, preparing 1 year before is a very wise thought.

Below is a simple, practical plan for 1 year preparation. Always keep 2 things in mind:

• Follow your own health limit
• Follow maryādā of your Guru / Sangh

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1. First confirm with Guru & Doctor

1 year before:

• Talk to your Guru / vidhikar

- Ask: “Is Masakshaman suitable for me? Which type – with boiled water or nirjal?”

• Health check‑up with a good doctor

- Especially if you have diabetes, BP, acidity, low weight, any chronic disease. If either your Guru or doctor says “not now”, then do lighter tapa with full shraddhā instead.

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2. Build your body slowly (first 3–4 months)

Goal: make body simple & strong, not heavy.

• Make a habit of:

- No night‑eating (chovihar) at least 4–5 days a week. - Eat a little less than full (unodari) every day. - Reduce oily, fried, very spicy, outside food, cold drinks, sweets.

• Weekly:

- Start with 1 upvas (with boiled water in day) or at least ekāsan once/twice a week.

• Sleep:

- Fix regular sleep; late nights and very long sleep make tapa harder.

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3. Increase tapa step‑by‑step (next 4 months)

After your body is used to simple food:

• Every fortnight (15 days), try:

- 1 day upvas, - 1–2 days ekāsan, - other days normal but simple food.

• Try small series fasts, if Guru allows:

- e.g. Bey‑upvas (2 continuous fasts) - or Atham (3 days fast) later on. These will show you how your body reacts to longer tapa.

• Strictly:

- Only boiled water in day time on upvas days (as per your tradition). - Nothing after sunset.

You can read basics about different tapas here

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4. Strengthen mind & bhāv (full 1 year, but especially last 4 months)

Masakshaman succeeds more due to bhāv, not only strong body.

Daily:

• Navkār Mantra – fix a count (e.g. 9, 27, 108) and do it every day.
• Samayik (even 15–30 minutes) – sit calmly, watch thoughts, do pratikraman of the day.
• Read / listen:

- Lives of Tirthankars, shrutkevalis, great tapasvīs - Simple books or pravachans on 12 tapas, kashāy control, karma theory.

• Practice:

- Maun / mit‑bhāsā – speak less, speak softly. - Reduce anger, ego, greed, attachment in daily life – this is real tapa.

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5. Last 3 months before Masakshaman

Now think of it as direct preparation:

• Fix one strong niyam:

- Daily chovihar - or daily ekāsan - or no outside food at all.

• Do some longer tapas:

- A few times 2–3 day upvas (only with Guru’s permission). - If even 2–3 days feel impossible, Masakshaman should not be done now.

• Train your mind:

- Tell yourself: “This body is temporary; I am jiv, I am upvāsī, fasting is for kashāy kṣay, not for show.” - Avoid too much mobile, movies, social media. - Stay more in mandir / svādhyāy / satsang environment.

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6. Planning the actual month

Some months before, decide with Guru:

• Which month / dates for Masakshaman.
• Water niyam:

- Shwetāmbara: generally boiled water in daytime only, no water at night. - Digambar: often nirjal or very little boiled water in day (only as allowed).

• Where you will stay:

- Best: near mandir / upāshraya, minimum travel, peaceful room.

• Fix helpers:

- 1–2 family members to support quietly, bring boiled water, prevent disturbance.

Also learn properly:

• How to take pachchakkhan for long fast.
• How to do parnā correctly after long tapa

(simple guidance here: )

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7. Safety & right attitude

• Never force the body beyond safe limit.

- If during the fast Guru / doctor says “stop now”, accept and stop with shānti.

• Remember:

- Tap = kashāy‑kṣay, not competition. - Even if finally you do only Athai or some shorter tapa with full bhāv, it is spiritually meaningful.

• Keep constant bhāv:

- “Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṃ” – if any mistake, let its result be cancelled. - Maitri for all jiv, no hatred for anyone.

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If you prepare like this for one year – slowly improving food, body, sādhanā, and mind‑set under the guidance of a Guru and with medical care – then whether you finally do Masakshaman or a lighter tapa, it will be safe, shānt, and spiritually very fruitful.