Answer

In Jain Dharma, the purpose of Chovihar is to support self-control, non-violence, and spiritual discipline by avoiding all food and drink after sunset until sunrise.

Bhagwan Mahavir emphasized such discipline because eating or drinking at night can involve more harm to tiny living beings and also increases attachment to taste and comfort.

Explanation

Chovihar means giving up four types of intake after sunset:

• Food
• Water
• Chewable items
• Drinkable items

Its main purposes are:

• Ahimsa: At night, many tiny living beings may be present and harder to see. Avoiding food and water helps reduce harm.
• Self-control: It trains the mind and body to control desires.
• Reduction of attachment: It helps reduce dependence on taste, habit, and bodily comfort.
• Spiritual awareness: Evening time becomes more suitable for prayer, reflection, pratikraman, and inner purification.

Spiritual Understanding

Bhagwan Mahavir taught that liberation comes through reducing karma, controlling passions, and living with carefulness. Chovihar is not only a rule about food; it is a practice of jagruti — awareness.

By voluntarily limiting eating and drinking, a person develops discipline, compassion, and detachment.

Takeaway

The real purpose of Chovihar is not just “not eating at night.” Its deeper purpose is to practice Ahimsa, Sanyam, and Atma-shuddhi — non-violence, self-restraint, and purification of the soul.