Answer

Navkarshi, Tivihar, and Chovihar are different Jain observances related to food and water timing:

• Navkarshi: taking food or drink 48 minutes after sunrise, after reciting the Navkar Mantra. ( jainqq.org)
• Tivihar: giving up three kinds of food, while water is allowed. ( jainqq.org)
• Chovihar: giving up all four kinds of food; in common practice this means no food or water after sunset through the night. ( jainqq.org)

Digambar and Shwetambar are the two main Jain traditions. Their core philosophy is the same, but they differ mainly in ascetic conduct, scriptures, and some interpretations. ( jaina.org)

Explanation

Navkarshi

• A morning restriction.
• One does not eat or drink until 48 minutes after sunrise.
• It is ended by reciting the Navkar Mantra. ( jainqq.org)

Tivihar

• “Tri” means three.
• It means avoiding three categories of food, while water remains allowed. ( jainqq.org)

Chovihar

• “Chau” means four.
• It means avoiding all four categories of food.
• In practice, it is observed as no food or water after sunset. Some texts describe it as starting a little before sunset and continuing through the night. ( jainqq.org)

Digambar vs Shwetambar

• Monastic dress: Digambar monks follow nude/sky-clad discipline; Shwetambar monks wear white clothes. ( jainworld.com)
• Scriptures: Shwetambar accepts the existing Agams as authentic; Digambar does not accept the present Agam text corpus as fully original because it believes the original texts were lost. ( jaina.org)
• Liberation of women: Digambar traditionally holds that a woman must be reborn as a man before moksha; Shwetambar holds that women can attain liberation in this life. ( jainworld.com)
• Kevali and food: Digambar believes an omniscient being does not take food; Shwetambar does not accept this view. ( jainworld.com)

Spiritual Understanding

These observances are meant to increase discipline, जागरूकता, and self-control.

• Navkarshi trains the mind not to rush into food immediately after waking. ( jainqq.org)
• Tivihar and Chovihar help reduce attachment to eating and strengthen restraint. ( jainqq.org)
• The Digambar and Shwetambar traditions both uphold Jain values of non-violence, self-restraint, and liberation, even though their outward practices differ. ( jaina.org)

Takeaway

• Navkarshi = morning vow after 48 minutes of sunrise. ( jainqq.org)
• Tivihar = no three kinds of food; water allowed. ( jainqq.org)
• Chovihar = complete abstinence from food and water after sunset. ( jainqq.org)
• Digambar and Shwetambar differ mostly in practice, dress, and scripture interpretation, not in the essential Jain goal of liberation. ( jaina.org)