Navpad Oli
Written by: Anish Visaria, Bhuvni Shah, Jainik Shroff, Khushi Doshi, Vaarin Shroff
What is Navpad Oli?
Navpad Oli is a nine-day period occurring twice a year during the Chaitra (March/April) and Ashwin (September/October) months to pay respect to the nine pads (supreme entities of the world). The nine pads include the Panch Parmeshthi (Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, Sadhu), Gyan (knowledge), Darshan (perception), Charitra (Conduct), and Tap (penance) and they can be physically represented by the Siddhachakra. During this period many Jains perform Ayambil and read the story of Queen Mayanä-Sundari and King Shripäl who were both very devoted to the Nav Pad. The Navpad Oli is also referred to as the Shashwathi Oli, signifying the shashwat (eternal) nature of the Navpad and the fact that it is the only Jain festival that is present in every single time cycle¹. This is why Navpad Oli is the most important festival in Jainism.
If you want to honor the 9 pads of this Oli you can do a mala for each pad every day².
Day 1 — Om Hrim Namo Arihantänam!
Day 2 — Om Hrim Namo Siddhänam!
Day 3 — Om Hrim Namo Aayariyänam!
Day 4 — Om Hrim Namo Uvajjhäyänam!
Day 5 — Om Hrim Namo Loe Savva Sähunam!
Day 6 — Om Hrim Namo Dansanassa!
Day 7 — Om Hrim Namo Nänassa!
Day 8 — Om Hrim Namo Chäritassa!
Day 9 — Om Hrim Namo Tavassa!
What is Ayambil?
During the Navpad Oli, one may observe Äyambil throughout the 9 days of the Oli. Ayambil is a fast similar to Ekashnu where one eats once a day and can only consume boiled water after sunrise and before sunset. The traditional definition of Ayambil consists of taking food that is dry, free from all Vigai (degenerative substances), and composed of a single ingredient³. This includes sugar, milk, ghee, oil, yogurt, and any fried items. These foods are not eaten in Äyambil because they trigger the 4 passions (anger, ego, greed, deceit) by changing the natural inherent qualities of the mind, body, and soul. Typically, one eats while sitting down on the floor and does not get up until they have fully finished the meal. Although both Ayambil and Ekashnu are considered Bhaya Tap (external austerities), Ayambil is more specifically part of Rasa-Tyaga, where one abstains from eating tasty foods⁴. This is because Ayambil further restricts Ekashnu as one does not consume any foods that contain or are prepared with Vigai. Additionally, one also does not consume vegetables, fruits, and spices (anything that provides flavor). Äyambil can also be restricted to only consuming one kind of food grain per day.
However, Äyambil is not only about the absence of tasty foods. It is also important to recognize the spiritual benefits. Internally it helps one control their mind, specifically their negative emotions and behaviors through the restraints of their bodily senses. We are all bound to attract Karma in our day-to-day lives, however, the process of controlling the mind and being more aware will help in our spiritual journey. While the main purpose of Ayambil is to partially eradicate Karma (Nirjara), there are a multitude of health benefits that result from doing Ayambil. The process of the simplest of foods being cooked in water helps the body directly absorb nutrients and get the fullest out of all the food eaten³. Other health benefits include, but are not limited to, improving the digestive system, helping those who suffer from diabetes, hypertension, and skin diseases. In fact, the story of King Shripäl and Mayanä-Sundari begins with the couple devoutly performing 9 Navapad Olis together (taking a total of 4.5 years). King Shripäl’s leprosy began to fade and he was eventually cured of his disease completely due to his devotion to performing Ayambil and worshiping the Navpad⁴.
A Unique Perspective on Ayambil
In the Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, an arrogant prince is turned into a hideous and scary creature, due to his inability to love. He isolates himself from everyone and everything because of his curse, and truly suffers in solitude. The people who worked in the castle were also cursed and turned into various objects. They all had the ability to talk, move, and perform many of the actions that they could before, however it is their appearance that truly makes it hard for them. Similarly, in Ayambil, we still have the ability to eat (like how the inanimate objects and Beast can still move and talk like humans), however, it is the restriction of the type of food that makes this austerity hard. While Upvas is done by suppressing the mind, Ayambil has the intent of conquering the mind. We must challenge ourselves to conquer our minds and transform from the beast or human into a prince or soul!
