Answer

Atthai is an 8-day Jain tapasya where one observes fasting or a strict form of food restraint for eight consecutive days, according to one’s strength and tradition.

If you want to do Atthai, please do it respectfully and safely, ideally with guidance from a Jain sadhu/sadhvi, guru, elder, or experienced family member.

How to Do Atthai

• Decide the form of Atthai: Traditionally, many people do complete upvas for 8 days, taking only boiled water during permitted hours. Some may follow a lighter form depending on health and guidance.
• Take pachakkhan: Before beginning, one takes a vow/pachakkhan for the tapasya according to Jain practice.
• Follow proper water rules: If doing upvas, usually only boiled water is taken, and only during the allowed daytime period, as per one’s tradition.
• Maintain spiritual focus: Atthai is not just “not eating.” Spend time in:
  • Samayik
  • Pratikraman
  • Navkar Mantra
  • Swadhyay
  • Jinendra Bhagwan’s darshan and bhakti
  • Forgiveness, humility, and control of passions
• Avoid entertainment and careless behavior: Try to reduce joking, anger, gossip, social media, laziness, and worldly distractions.
• Listen to your body: If you feel severe weakness, dizziness, vomiting, fainting, or medical danger, consult elders and a doctor. Jain Dharma does not ask someone to harm the body recklessly.
• Do parna properly: After completing 8 days, the fast is ended with parna at the proper time and in the proper way, usually with simple suitable food/drink according to tradition.

Spiritual Understanding

Atthai is done for purification of the soul, reducing attachment to taste and body comfort, and developing discipline, patience, and awareness. The real purpose is to weaken passions like anger, ego, deceit, and greed.

Takeaway

Don’t treat Atthai casually. Start with guidance, take proper pachakkhan, keep the mind peaceful, do dharma during the fast, and do parna correctly. If this is your first time, speak with a knowledgeable Jain elder or guru before attempting it.