Answer

In Jain Dharma, Navkarsi, Porsi, Sadh-Porsi, Purimadh, and Avadh are time-based food disciplines related to eating only after a certain time has passed after sunrise.

They are commonly observed especially during Paryushan, Ayambil, tapasya, or daily religious discipline.

• Navkarsi – eating after about 48 minutes after sunrise
• Porsi – eating after about 3 hours after sunrise
• Sadh-Porsi – eating after about 4 hours 30 minutes after sunrise
• Purimadh – eating after about 6 hours after sunrise
• Avadh – eating after about 9 hours after sunrise

Explanation with Example

Suppose the sunrise is at 6:00 AM.

Then the approximate eating times would be:

• Navkarsi: after 6:48 AM
• Porsi: after 9:00 AM
• Sadh-Porsi: after 10:30 AM
• Purimadh: after 12:00 PM
• Avadh: after 3:00 PM

So, if someone says, “I am doing Porsi today,” it means they will not eat or drink until the Porsi time is completed, based on that day’s sunrise.

Simple Meaning

• Navkarsi is the first and shortest discipline among these.
• Porsi means waiting longer before food or water.
• Sadh-Porsi means one and a half Porsi.
• Purimadh means waiting until around midday.
• Avadh means a still longer restraint, usually until afternoon.

Spiritual Understanding

These practices are not only about delaying food. They help develop:

• Self-control
• Discipline over taste and hunger
• Awareness of the soul
• Reduction of attachment to food
• Respect for tapasya and restraint

In Jain Dharma, such restraint supports the path of sanyam, meaning control over body, speech, and mind.

Takeaway

These timings are calculated from sunrise, not from midnight or a fixed clock time. For example, if sunrise is 6:00 AM, then:

Navkarsi 6:48 AM, Porsi 9:00 AM, Sadh-Porsi 10:30 AM, Purimadh 12:00 PM, Avadh 3:00 PM.