Answer

You can tell them simply:

“I am doing Varshitap as a Jain spiritual practice to build self-control, reduce attachment to food and comfort, and purify my soul through tapasya. I am not doing it for money, fame, or worldly reward. I am doing it for inner discipline, spiritual growth, and devotion.”

Explanation

Varshitap is a very respected Jain tapasya. In it, a person performs long-term fasting discipline, traditionally connected with the life of Bhagwan Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankar.

If your friends ask, “What will you get after it?” you can say:

• I will get stronger self-control.
• I will learn to control desires instead of being controlled by them.
• I will develop patience, discipline, and inner strength.
• I will reduce attachment to taste, comfort, and routine pleasures.
• I will feel closer to my soul and Jain values.
• Spiritually, Jain Dharma teaches that sincere tapasya helps in shedding karmas.

You can also explain with a simple example:

“Just like athletes train their body, I am training my mind and soul. Fasting is not only about not eating; it is about awareness, control, humility, and purification.”

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, the main purpose of tapasya is not to punish the body. It is to awaken the soul.

Food, taste, comfort, anger, ego, and desires often control our life. Through tapasya, we gently remind ourselves:

• I am not only this body.
• I am a soul.
• My real happiness is within.
• I want to reduce karmas and move toward purity.

So Varshitap is not about showing others how strong you are. It is about becoming humble, peaceful, and spiritually aware.

Takeaway

You can tell your friends:

“I am doing Varshitap to purify my soul, strengthen my self-control, and live closer to Jain principles. What I get from it is inner peace, discipline, and spiritual progress.”