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Chapter 21
TAPA OR PENANCE
DURING the festival of Paryushan, Ajay's grandmother stayed with them. She undertook the fasts regularly, and performed the Pratikraman and Samayika regularly.
One day, she explained to Ajay the importance of fasting and the different kinds of penance.
She said, "Ajay, penance is important to discipline our mind and body, to get rid of the bad karmas we accumulate, and to practise nonviolence. When we perform upvas or total fast, we do not eat for a whole day.
"The fast starts after sunset on the previous day, and ends after sunrise the following day.
"The 'ekasana' is done when we eat normal food once a day. During ekasana, we would not eat things like root vegetables, and not eat anything after sunset.
"In the 'biasana' one eats twice in the day, after sunrise of course, and before sunset.
"The 'ayambil' is done by eating only once a day, and eating only a few restricted items of food.
"During all these penances or tapas we only drink water that has already been boiled."
Ajay listened to all this carefully, and said, "Grandmother, I think I will start by doing the 'biasana' tomorrow." Grandmother said, "Then you must hurry up and eat your dinner before sunset and brush your teeth."
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