Chaumāsā (Chaturmās) is the monsoon period when saṅyam (self‑restraint) is increased. For a Śrāvaka/Śrāvikā, the aim is: less himsā, less indulgence, more sādhanā. Here is a simple, traditional way to spend these four months.

1) Daily niyam (do every day)

• Wake with Navkār Mantra and bhāva of ahiṃsā; keep maitri-bhāva for all jīvas.
• Samāyik: at least 48 minutes of equanimity, with pratikraman of day’s faults.
• Swādhyāy: read/listen to Jain āgamas, life of Tīrthankars, and conduct texts.
• Japa/meditation: Navkār, Logassa, Uvasaggaram, or Ṛṣi-mandal vidhi as per paramparā.
• Bhojan maryādā: fresh vegetarian food, eat less, avoid night-eating (chovihār/tevihār as you can). Prefer boiled-filtered water only.
• Care in movement and chores: walk slowly, use a light/torch at night, gently remove insects instead of killing; strain water and wipe wet places to save tiny jīvas.

2) Food discipline (ahār-niyam) commonly observed in Chaturmās

• Tyāg of green leafy vegetables (patra) and often kandmūl (root vegetables); avoid fermented/stale foods; be vigilant about micro-life in monsoon.
• Prefer one or two simple meals (ekāsan/biyasana) when possible; observe upvās/ayambil per capacity.

For easy guidance on tyāg and allowed items, see:

3) Fortnightly and special observances

• Pakṣik (fortnightly) Pratikraman with kṣamā-yāchanā.
• Pauṣadh (householder’s monk-like vow for a day) as feasible.
• Dāna and jīv‑dayā: support sādhus/sādhvīs (within Maryādā), scriptures, and animal-life care; avoid trades and acts that disturb earth/water beings during monsoon.

4) Paryushan / Das‑Lakshan during Chaumās

• Śvetāmbara: Paryushan (8 days) with daily swādhyāy, pratikraman, fasting; conclude with Samvatsarī kṣamāpanā (Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṁ).
• Digambara: Das‑Lakshan Parva (10 days) focusing each day on one dharma (Kṣamā, Mārdava, Ārjava, Śauca, Satya, Saṃyam, Tapa, Tyāga, Ākiñcanya, Brahmacarya); conclude with Kṣamāvaṇī.

Simple explanations:

5) Householder conduct specially advised in Chaumās

• Extra cleanliness: strain and store water carefully, keep kitchen/mandir/paushadh-śālā clean; cover drains and damp corners.
• Avoid unnecessary travel, digging/ground-disturbing work, and any occupation increasing himsā of monsoon jīvas.

A concise list of such duties:

6) Suggested simple routine (adapt as per strength and guru‑maryādā)

• Morning: Navkār, samāyik, swādhyāy (30–60 min), maitrī‑bhāvanā; plan ahār with niyam.
• Daytime: careful livelihood; jīv‑dayā where possible; avoid gossip/anger.
• Evening: pratikraman, sūtra‑pāṭh, short meditation; chovihār/tevihār; read one life-story or sutra meaning.
• Weekly: one extra tapa (ayambil/ekāsan), one longer swādhyāy session, one seva/dāna act.

Notes on traditions

• Both Digambara and Śvetāmbara emphasize ahiṃsā, tapa, swādhyāy, and kṣamā.
• Food specifics (e.g., leafy‑veg tyāg) and some timings differ by local paramparā; follow your guru/saṅgh.
• During fasts/ekāsan many observe only boiled, recently boiled water; see practical guidance here:

Essence

• Reduce wants (aparigraha), reduce harm, increase awareness and forgiveness.
• Chaumāsā is for cleaning the inner self through samyag‑darśan, jñān, and cāritra—quietly, steadily, and with humility.

If you wish to explore more on Chaumāsā basics and reasons, see: