Answer

In the Sthanakwasi Jain tradition, during Paryushan, food restrictions are followed with extra care to practice Ahimsa, self-control, simplicity, and spiritual purification.

Common dietary restrictions include:

• No root vegetables such as potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, radish, beetroot, sweet potatoes, etc.
• No green vegetables during the main Paryushan days in many Sthanakwasi households.
• No fruits and vegetables with many seeds, especially if considered to involve more living beings.
• No fermented foods, such as idli, dosa batter, dhokla made from fermented batter, bread, yeast-based foods, etc.
• No stale food; food is generally prepared fresh and consumed within the proper time.
• No eating after sunset.
• No alcohol, eggs, meat, fish, honey, or non-vegetarian items at any time; these are strictly avoided by Jains generally, not only during Paryushan.
• Avoidance of outside food, because ingredients, preparation methods, and purity may be uncertain.
• Simple food is preferred, with reduced spices, indulgence, and variety.

Many people also observe forms of fasting such as:

• Ekasan – eating once in one sitting
• Beasan – eating twice in the day
• Upvas – complete fast
• Ayambil – very simple food without taste-enhancing ingredients
• Atham, Atthai, or longer tapas according to one’s capacity

Explanation

Paryushan is a time for reducing attachment to taste and comfort. Therefore, Sthanakwasi Jains generally eat food that is:

• Fresh
• Simple
• Vegetarian
• Prepared with care
• Consumed before sunset
• Free from ingredients believed to involve greater harm to living beings

Root vegetables are avoided because uprooting them destroys the whole plant and is considered to involve harm to many subtle living beings. Fermented foods are avoided because fermentation increases microscopic life.

Spiritual Understanding

The purpose of these restrictions is not merely food discipline. The deeper goal is:

• To practice Ahimsa
• To reduce desire for taste
• To develop restraint over the senses
• To purify the mind
• To support repentance, prayer, meditation, and forgiveness

In Sthanakwasi tradition, emphasis is especially placed on inner purity, samayik, pratikraman, swadhyay, tapas, and forgiveness.

Takeaway

During Paryushan, Sthanakwasi Jains usually follow a stricter vegetarian diet by avoiding root vegetables, green vegetables, fermented foods, stale food, and eating after sunset. The main aim is to live with greater Ahimsa, restraint, simplicity, and spiritual awareness. Since exact practices may vary by family, guru-parampara, and local sangh, it is best to follow the guidance of your own Sthanakwasi sadhu-sadhviji or sangh.