Today is Akshaya Tritiya, a holy and auspicious day for many. It is celebrated as ‘Parana diwas’, the day Adinath Bhagwan, the first Jain tirthankara, known as , broke his fast after a year-long penance. On this day, Jain followers who observe the year-long alternative day fasting, or Varsi-tap, end their penance by doing ‘Parana’, breaking fast with sugarcane juice.
When Rishabhadev renounced his kingdom and become an ascetic, he took the vow of total silence and started wandering accompanied by other ascetics. When, after his penance, he went out to ask for food, he did not get anything to eat. People of that age were ignorant about the practice of giving food as alms.
But Rishabhdev would proceed ahead without accepting anything. Until one day, when he reached Hastinapur. King there saw him, and acquiring Jati-smaran Jnana, the knowledge that opens up memories of the past births, he soon realised that Rishabhdev had been wandering without food or water. So, in keeping with Jain scriptures, he offered Rishabhadev sugarcane juice to break his fast.
The day established ‘ahara charya’, the practise of preparing and serving food to Jain monks. Fasting is considered a form of penance as it purifies body and mind, and leads to renunciation and asceticism. It helps maintain self-control through abstinence from the pleasures felt through the five senses. It allows the shedding of karma through sacrifice.
When Rishabhadev renounced his kingdom and become an ascetic, he took the vow of total silence and started wandering accompanied by other ascetics. When, after his penance, he went out to ask for food, he did not get anything to eat. People of that age were ignorant about the practice of giving food as alms.
But Rishabhdev would proceed ahead without accepting anything. Until one day, when he reached Hastinapur. King there saw him, and acquiring Jati-smaran Jnana, the knowledge that opens up memories of the past births, he soon realised that Rishabhdev had been wandering without food or water. So, in keeping with Jain scriptures, he offered Rishabhadev sugarcane juice to break his fast.
The day established ‘ahara charya’, the practise of preparing and serving food to Jain monks. Fasting is considered a form of penance as it purifies body and mind, and leads to renunciation and asceticism. It helps maintain self-control through abstinence from the pleasures felt through the five senses. It allows the shedding of karma through sacrifice.