My Varsitap Experience
By Roshani Jhaveri
Summary
The article details Roshani Jhaveri's experience with Varsitap, a modified 13-month fasting practice in Jainism modeled after the first Jina, Rishabhanatha. Unlike traditional Upvas, which involves complete fasting, Varsitap alternates total fasting with partial fasting days. Roshani, a Dubai-based housewife and dance studio owner, shares her journey of completing Varsitap in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that made travel impossible but also provided unique challenges and reflections. Inspired by her grandfather and uncle-in-law, who had observed Varsitap, she enrolled through the Jumeira Lake Towers Sangh in Dubai. She describes the experience as transformative, calling it a "lifetime achievement" that changed her perspective. The article highlights the dedication required, particularly her reliance on morning tea, and how completing Varsitap marked a significant personal turning point.
Conclusion
The author's Varsitap experience highlights the transformative power of sustained spiritual practice and community support. By adapting the traditional 13-month Upvas fast into a more manageable alternating pattern, Varsitap made the intensive commitment accessible while preserving its core purpose. The journey, initiated during challenging COVID-19 restrictions, became a turning point, fostering personal growth and self-discipline. The Dubai Sangh's role in organizing "Beyasana" for participants underscores the importance of communal support in sustaining such spiritual endeavors. The author's completion of Varsitap, described as a "lifetime achievement," demonstrates how balancing modern life with ancient practices can lead to profound personal transformation, inspiring others to undertake similar spiritual challenges despite temporal constraints.