Answer

In Jain Dharma, upavas generally means fasting for spiritual purification. If you are doing upavas with water only, it usually means you do not take any food, but you may drink boiled and cooled water during the permitted time.

How to Do Water-Only Upavas

• Take a clear sankalp: Begin with a peaceful intention that the fast is for self-control, karma reduction, and spiritual progress.
• Eat light the previous day: Before the upavas day, take simple, light, sattvik Jain food and avoid overeating.
• No food during upavas: Do not eat grains, fruits, dry fruits, milk, tea, coffee, juice, or any other food item.
• Drink only water: Drink only clean water, preferably boiled and cooled water, according to your family or sampraday tradition.
• Follow the proper time for water: In many Jain traditions, water is taken only during daytime and not after sunset. Follow the guidance of your guru, family tradition, or local Jain practice.
• Practice spiritual activities: Spend the day in:
  • Navkar Mantra
  • Samayik
  • Pratikraman
  • Swadhyay
  • Jin Puja or darshan
  • Reflection on forgiveness, non-violence, and detachment
• Avoid worldly indulgence: Reduce unnecessary talking, entertainment, anger, gossip, and attachment to comfort.
• Break the fast properly: On the next day, do parna at the proper time with simple Jain food or liquid as per your tradition.

Important Care

• If you are new to fasting, start slowly and do not force the body beyond capacity.
• Children, elderly people, pregnant women, and people with medical conditions should take proper guidance before doing upavas.
• In Jain Dharma, the inner bhaav is very important. Fasting should be done with humility, not pride.

Spiritual Understanding

Upavas is not only about avoiding food. Its deeper meaning is to stay closer to the soul by reducing attachment to the body and senses. Water-only upavas helps develop discipline, patience, and awareness.

Takeaway

Do water-only upavas with pure intention, boiled water as permitted, spiritual focus, and proper parna. The real value of upavas is purity of thought, speech, and action.