Answer

Ashadha Ashtanika is an auspicious eight-day period in Jain Dharma, observed with increased devotion, self-restraint, fasting, prayer, and inner purification. During this time, many Jains practice austerities such as Ekasana, Biyasana, Ayambil, and Upvas, depending on their capacity and guidance from the tradition.

Explanation

1) What is Ashadha Ashthanika?

• It is a spiritually significant eight-day observance period in the month of Ashadha.
• The focus is on:

- Tapa: austerity - Samayik: equanimity and meditation - Pratikraman: introspection and repentance - Swadhyaya: scriptural study - Bhakti: devotion - Self-control: reducing attachment to food, comfort, and worldly habits

This period is used to strengthen inner discipline and reduce karmic bondage.

2) Ekasana

Ekasana means eating one meal in one sitting in a day.

Common features:

• Only one full meal is taken
• No second sitting for food later in the day
• It is practiced to reduce indulgence and develop restraint
• It is considered milder than fasting, but still a form of austerity

3) Biyasana

Biyasana means eating two meals in a day, but still with discipline.

Common understanding:

• Two meals are taken in the day
• No unnecessary snacking or grazing
• The practice is meant to keep the body maintained while still observing restraint

It is usually seen as less rigorous than Ekasana.

4) Other common forms of austerity during Ashadha Ashthanika

Here are some other Jain austerities often observed:

Upvas

• Complete fast for a day
• In strict observance, no food and no water

Ayambil

• One simple meal in a day
• Food is plain and free from taste-enhancing items
• Usually avoids oil, ghee, milk, curd, sweets, fruits, and strong spices
• It is meant to reduce attachment to taste and comfort

Bela, Tela, and Atthai

• Bela: fast for 2 days
• Tela: fast for 3 days
• Atthai: fast for 8 days

These are deeper forms of tapas and are usually done with proper guidance.

Swadhyaya

• Reading and reflecting on Jain scriptures
• Helps turn the mind inward

Samayik

• Meditative equanimity practice
• Helps calm passions and develop spiritual balance

Pratikraman

• Reviewing one’s actions
• Asking forgiveness and resolving to improve

Dan and Seva

• Charity and service
• Supporting monks, nuns, temples, and religious activities with a pure heart

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, austerity is not done to punish the body. It is done to purify the soul.

The deeper purpose is:

• To weaken attachment to food and pleasure
• To reduce greed, ego, and restlessness
• To build patience, humility, and self-control
• To shed karmas through discipline and awareness

The real value of Ekasana, Biyasana, or fasting is not only in the external act, but in the inner भाव:

• sincerity
• non-attachment
• purity of intention
• compassion
• forgiveness

If done with pride or competition, the spiritual benefit becomes less. In Jain teaching, austerity should always be joined with humility and right understanding.

Takeaway

Ashadha Ashthanika is a sacred time for deepening Jain practice through restraint and purification.

• Ekasana = one meal in one sitting
• Biyasana = two meals in a day with restraint
• Ayambil, Upvas, and other tapas = higher forms of austerity

The essence of all these practices is to make the soul stronger by making the mind calm, disciplined, and detached.