Answer

During Paryushan, Jain Dharma encourages practices that purify the soul and reduce passions. What is “allowed” generally means actions that support ahimsa, self-control, forgiveness, simplicity, and spiritual awareness.

Commonly encouraged and allowed practices include:

• Pratikraman – repentance and reflection on mistakes
• Samayik – sitting in equanimity and spiritual focus
• Swadhyay – reading or listening to Jain scriptures and teachings
• Tapasya – fasting or practicing food restraint according to one’s capacity
• Forgiveness – asking and granting forgiveness, especially on Samvatsari
• Ahimsa – being extra careful in thoughts, words, and actions
• Simple living – reducing entertainment, luxury, anger, gossip, and unnecessary activities
• Daan – charity and compassion, done with humility

Food and Conduct

Many Jains follow stricter discipline during Paryushan, such as:

• Eating simple vegetarian food
• Avoiding root vegetables, depending on family and sect tradition
• Eating before sunset
• Reducing or avoiding outside food
• Observing fasts such as upvas, ekasana, beasana, ayambil, or other vows according to ability

Explanation

Paryushan is not only about food restrictions. Its deeper purpose is to turn inward and cleanse the soul from kashayas such as anger, ego, deceit, and greed.

So, anything that increases:

• peace
• discipline
• compassion
• forgiveness
• detachment
• awareness of the soul

is considered spiritually appropriate during Paryushan.

Takeaway

During Paryushan, one should do less of worldly enjoyment and more of spiritual practice. The main rule is: avoid harm, reduce passions, practice forgiveness, and move closer to the soul.