Answer

Poshad / Paushadh is a Jain spiritual practice in which a shravak or shravika temporarily lives like a sadhu or sadhvi for a fixed period, usually for one day or part of a day.

The basic procedure generally includes:

• Taking a respectful resolve for Paushadh.
• Observing celibacy and restraint.
• Giving up worldly activities, business, entertainment, and comforts.
• Staying in a spiritually pure place such as upashray, derasar area, or a quiet clean space.
• Practicing samayik, pratikraman, swadhyay, meditation, and prayer.
• Eating only according to the vow taken, or observing fasting if prescribed.
• Maintaining non-violence, truthfulness, simplicity, and alertness throughout the period.

Explanation

A common Paushadh procedure is:

1. Preparation
   Clean the body, wear simple clean clothes, and prepare the mind with humility and devotion.
2. Taking the vow
   The person takes a formal resolve to observe Paushadh for a specific time. Traditionally this is done in the presence of a guru, sadhu, sadhvi, or according to the accepted practice of one’s Jain tradition.
3. Renunciation of household activities
   During Paushadh, one avoids:
   • Business and work
   • Cooking and household involvement
   • Luxury and decoration
   • Entertainment and gossip
   • Anger, pride, deceit, greed, and attachment as much as possible
4. Spiritual conduct
   One spends the time in:
   • Samayik
   • Pratikraman
   • Kayotsarg
   • Swadhyay
   • Japa or mantra recitation
   • Meditation on soul, karma, non-attachment, and forgiveness
5. Food and discipline
   Depending on the vow, one may do upvas, ekasana, ayambil, or take limited food in a restrained manner. Night eating is avoided according to Jain discipline.
6. Sleeping and sitting
   One avoids comfort and luxury. Traditionally, one sits and rests simply, with awareness and restraint.
7. Completion
   At the end of the Paushadh period, the vow is completed respectfully with prayer, reflection, and forgiveness.

Spiritual Understanding

Paushadh is a way for householders to experience, for a short time, the disciplined life of renunciation. Its purpose is not merely fasting or ritual, but inner purification.

It helps reduce:

• Attachment to body and comfort
• Worldly desires
• Careless speech and actions
• Karmic bondage caused by passions

It strengthens:

• Ahimsa
• Self-control
• Equanimity
• Awareness of the soul
• Respect for sadhu-sadhvi life

Takeaway

Paushadh means temporarily stepping away from worldly life and turning inward toward the soul. For the exact ritual words and detailed method, one should follow the guidance of one’s Jain guru or local tradition, because procedures may differ between Jain sects and communities.