Answer

In Jain Dharma, Aatham and Chaudas are considered very important because they are special Parva Tithis — spiritually powerful days for sanyam, tapasya, dharm-dhyan, pratikraman, and tyag.

On these days, Jains try to reduce worldly activities and increase spiritual practices.

Explanation

Aatham means the 8th day of the lunar fortnight. Chaudas means the 14th day of the lunar fortnight.

Every month has two pakshas:

• Sud Paksha — bright half of the moon
• Vad Paksha — dark half of the moon

So Aatham and Chaudas come twice each month.

These days are important because Jain tradition gives special importance to these tithis for:

• Tapasya — fasting or doing some form of austerity
• Pratikraman — repentance for mistakes and sins
• Samayik — staying in equanimity
• Paushadh — living like a sadhu/sadhvi for a limited time
• Tyag — giving up food, comfort, or worldly pleasures
• Dharm-dhyan — focusing the mind on soul and spiritual progress

The purpose is not only ritual. The real purpose is to weaken attachment, control desires, and purify the soul.

What Tyag Can Be Done?

Depending on your capacity, health, age, and guidance from elders or guru bhagwant, you can do tyag such as:

• Upvas — complete fast for the day
• Ekasan — eating once in one sitting
• Beasan — eating twice in fixed sittings
• Ayambil — simple tasteless food once a day
• Ratri-bhojan tyag — giving up food after sunset
• Kandmool tyag — avoiding root vegetables
• Green vegetables tyag — if followed in your tradition
• Milk, sweets, fried food, or favorite food tyag
• Mobile, TV, social media, entertainment tyag
• Anger, gossip, lying, and harsh speech tyag

If fasting is not possible, even small tyag done with sincere bhav is valuable.

Best Spiritual Practices on Aatham and Chaudas

• Do Samayik
• Do Pratikraman
• Recite Navkar Mantra
• Read Jain scriptures or listen to pravachan
• Practice forgiveness and silence
• Avoid unnecessary travel, business, shopping, and entertainment
• Spend more time in self-reflection

Spiritual Understanding

Aatham and Chaudas remind us that life should not be spent only in eating, earning, enjoyment, and attachment. These days help us pause and ask:

• Am I reducing my passions?
• Am I becoming more peaceful?
• Am I moving closer to my soul?

The real tyag is not only giving up food, but giving up raag, dwesh, krodh, maan, maya, and lobh.

Takeaway

Aatham and Chaudas are important because they are days of extra spiritual effort. On these days, one should do some form of tapasya, pratikraman, samayik, and tyag according to one’s capacity, with pure intention and devotion.