4th Day of Paryushan Parva

 4th Day of Paryushan Parva

The Jain cuisine is completely lacto - vegeterian and also excludes root and underground vegetables such as potato, garlic, onion etc., to prevent injuring small insects and microorganisms; and also to prevent the entire plant getting uprooted and killed. It is practised by Jain ascetics and lay Jains.

During the Jain festival of Paryushan Mahaparva, it is the duty of a shravak to abstain from eating green vegetables. Bhagwan Mahavir said that we generally relish green vegetables more than pulses. Because of this intense likeability, we have too much attachment towards these kinds of foods as compared to beans, pulses, dals (lentils) etc. Along with that, the level of violence involved while eating green vegetables is also more.

That is the reason we should eat pulses and grains during Paryushan instead, which involves lesser attachment and lesser violence. We must also refrain from using coriander for garnishing and green chili to enhance the flavour. Paryushan Parva is the most auspicious time to observe fasts.

It is good to fast completely during Paryushan Mahaparva. If not, we must try to practice fasts like ekasana, ayambil, etc. But if one is not capable of performing any such kind of tapasya (fasting), then he must surely avoid eating vegetables, and eat food with a detached state of mind.