Why do Jains avoid consuming outside food during Paryushan?

During the auspicious days of Paryushan Parva when we are undergoing various spiritual activities, we should avoid eating outside food or street food for 8 days including the ones offered by neighbours, or ordering online through food delivery apps. We should forsake eating in restaurant and hotel too. Hotel food is more attractive with intense taste and aroma which aggravates our connection with the taste buds and intensifies our instincts. These are the days to undergo various type of austerities. To control on one’s smell and taste buds is one of the duties of Paryushan. We need to overcome the weakness to have desirable food during these 8 days of Paryushan Parva.

Paryushan Parv – the 8-day Jain Festival of Forgiveness is an occasion to eliminate the impurities that pollute the soul – such as anger, ego, greed, jealousy, deceit, attachment, hatred and much more. It is a period of emotional cleansing and becoming light and relaxed from within.

From a karmic perspective, it is said that during these 8 days, the magnetic frequencies in the entire universe are the highest. As a result, the soul vibrates the most and may even bind the karmas that determine his next birth. And therefore, Jains observe maximum sadhanas, spiritual practices, penance and fasting during these days to make the most of this auspicious period.

Param Gurudev Shree Namramuni Maharaj Saheb profoundly enlists a detailed list of Do’s and Don’ts of what should be done and what we should refrain from doing during these divine days of Paryushan. During these Paryushan days, Jains make an effort to realize, repent and seek forgiveness for mistakes made during the entire year by performing Pratikraman, Alochana fasting, taking small Pachkhan vows, etc. The last day of Paryushan, known as Samvatsari, is the day when everyone performs the annual practice of Samvatsari Pratikraman and says sorry or ‘Michhami Dukadam’ to every living of the universe for having hurt them knowingly or unknowingly through their mind, body and speech.