Answer

In one Upvas, a Jain should spend the day in self-control, prayer, repentance, study, and inner purification.

Usually, in Upvas:

• Do not eat food for the whole day.
• Drink only according to your tradition and personal capacity.
• Avoid anger, lies, gossip, entertainment, and unnecessary activities.
• Do Samayik, Pratikraman, Navkar Mantra, and spiritual reading.
• Keep the mind peaceful and focused on the soul.

Explanation

Upvas does not mean only “not eating.” In Jain Dharma, true Upvas means going closer to the soul by reducing attachment to the body and senses.

During one Upvas, you can do:

• Morning prayer and Navkar Mantra chanting
• Samayik for equanimity
• Swadhyay — reading or listening to Jain teachings
• Pratikraman — asking forgiveness for mistakes
• Meditation on peace, forgiveness, and detachment
• Maun or limited speech if possible
• Charity and compassion in thought and action

Spiritual Understanding

The purpose of Upvas is to reduce raag-dwesh — attachment and hatred — and to purify karma. If the body is fasting but the mind is angry, restless, or full of desires, the full spiritual benefit is reduced.

So, Upvas should be done with:

• Humility
• Forgiveness
• Peaceful thoughts
• Devotion toward Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, and Sadhu

Takeaway

One Upvas should be a day of less body-focus and more soul-focus. Fasting is important, but purity of thoughts, speech, and actions is even more important.