Upadhan means the exalted spiritual endeavors and
worship that go with the life of a Shravak. This Upadhan can be performed
in three parts for 47 days 35 days and 28 days separately. During these
days one must fast on one day and the second day one must do Ekasan, that
is eating one meal in one palce. It is called Nivi. Every day one must
recite the Rosary for 20 times saying the Navkar Mantra; one must also
perform 100 Khamasaman Kneeling with head touching the ground; must also
perform Kayotsarga saying the Logassa Sutra for 100 times and must also
perform the Paushadh vrat etc. Along with these, one must study some Jain
Sutras. This austerity is not only severe but prolonged.
Pratima:
Pratima, a special austerity, must also be performed by
a Shravak to purify and perfect his life. In the Shastras, 11 types of
Pratima are mentioned.
(1) Samyaktva
(2) Vrat.
(3) Samayik
(4) Paushadh
(5) Niyam
(6) Brahmacharya,
(7) Sachitta Tyag
(8) Uddhisht
(9) Preshyarambha tyag
(10) Arambha tyag
(11) Shramanbhuth
This vow should be taken for one or a fixed number of
days according to rules.
