Cauvihār Upvāsa Pachkhān

Pachkhān to have no food or water the entire day

Upvāsa means abstinence (i.e. abstaining from enjoyments). It is a combination of two words Upa (उप) which means near, close to and Vasati (वसति) which means stay, live. Thus it’s essence is to stay close to the soul. The soul is an independent entity separate from the body. Therefore, by not eating and focusing on the needs of the body, one can focus on the soul (meditation, prayers, etc).

Cauvihār refers to 4 types of consumables (foods, snacks/fruits, mouth refresheners and water) and pachkhān mean to take a vow to refrain from them.

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Sure uggae abbhattattham pachakkhāi (pachkkhāmi)
cauvvihampi āhāram – asaṇam, paṇam, khāimam, sāimam,
anatthaṇā-bhogeṇam, sahasā-gāreṇam, mahattarā-gāreṇam, savva-samāhi-vattiyā-gāreṇam, vosirai (vosirāmi)

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You shall observe (I take) the vow to not eat 4 types of consumables (foods that are swallowed, water, nuts/fruits, mouth fresheners) from sunrise to the next day sunrise.The vow will not be violated as a result of the following EXCEPTIONS:
through forgetfulness, sudden or extraordinary circumstances requiring intake of food/water, insistance by sangh or Acharya or for the sake of maintaining peace, well-being and equanimity.

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References:
1. Prabodh Tika by Param Pujya Panyas BhadrankarVijayji Maharaj & Param Pujya Munishree Kalyanprabhavijayji Maharaj
2. Pratikramana Sutra With Explanation (Part 2) by Muni Nirvana Sagar
3. Internet

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