8 days fasting

In Jain tradition, an 8‑day fast is commonly called “Atthai (Athaai) Tap.” It is a serious vrata of inner purification, done only with proper niyam (rules) and spiritual focus.

What “Atthai” means

• Eight consecutive days of anashan (no food). Many observe with only boiled water during fixed times; a few do nirjal (no water), but that is very rare and only for the truly able.
• Daily focus is on samayik, pratikraman, pratyakhyan (firm resolve), svadhyaya (study), and bhav‑puja (devotional contemplation).
• The aim is kashaya‑kshaya: reducing anger, pride, deceit, and greed, and accumulating shubha bhava (pure intentions).

Basic niyam (disciplines)

• Before starting: take pratyakhyan from a guru or in front of the Arihant paramatma with clear sankalp (intention).
• During the 8 days:

- Maintain ahimsa in thought, word, deed; speak little and truthfully. - Daily pratikraman, Navkar mantra jaap, reading of agamas/pravachans, and meditation on forgiveness. - Limit external activities; avoid mobile/entertainment; guard against raag‑dvesh. - Water, if taken, is boiled and within vowed time window only.

• Parna (breaking the fast): on the 9th day, within the prescribed parna muhurat; take only permissible parna food (simple, light, non‑oily), with gratitude and with Navkar.

Tradition notes

• Shvetambar: Many perform Atthai during Paryushan (8 days). Parna rules follow sunrise‑based parna timings fixed by local sangh.
• Digambar: Some undertake 8‑day upvas during Dashalakshan/Ashtahnika observances. Parana is done within the prescribed “aparanna” time per tradition.
• Names and small procedural details may vary by gaccha/sangh, but the inner spirit—self‑restraint and purification—remains the same.

Who should attempt

• Only if physically and mentally fit. Elders, pregnant women, those with medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, gastric/renal issues) should not do long fasts without competent medical clearance.
• If full Atthai is not possible, consider graded tapas: upvas, beasanu (2 days), attham (3 days), or anukampa‑based partial fasts (e.g., ekasana/ayambil with strict niyam).

Daily spiritual routine (simple guide)

• Morning: Navkar mantra, samayik, svadhyaya (e.g., essential sutras, life of Tirthankars), pratikraman for the previous day.
• Daytime: silence, japa, contemplation on anitya (impermanence) and forgiveness.
• Evening: pratikraman, alochana (confession), pratyakhyan for next day, maitri‑bhavana for all beings.
• Throughout: maintain cheerfulness, humility, and vigilance over kashayas.

Parna guidance (9th day)

• Do not rush. First, offer bhakti and kshama‑yachna.
• Begin with warm water if needed; then light, simple, saatvik parna items as per your tradition’s rules.
• Avoid heavy/oily/spicy foods for at least a day or two after.

Fruit of Atthai (per Jain teaching)

• Strengthening of samyam (self‑restraint), sharpening of awareness, and reduction of karmic bondage when done with right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct. The true fruit depends on bhava (inner state), not on austerity alone.

Important caution

• Long fasting is a powerful tapas. Attempt only under guidance of your guru/elder and with medical prudence. The path of ahimsa includes non‑violence towards oneself.

If you need a simple checklist or parna‑time reminders for your local sangh, please follow your guru and sangh announcements.