In short
Uttam Tyaga, the eighth virtue of Das Lakshan Parva, is supreme renunciation. In practice it means giving — the four traditional daans of food, medicine, knowledge and fearlessness — offered without expectation of return, recognition or merit.
- Observance
- Digambar Das Lakshan Parva
- Day
- 8 of 10
- Theme
- Uttam Tyaga — Supreme Renunciation (उत्तम त्याग)
- Fault it answers
- Grasping
- Expected date
- 22 September 2026 — confirm with your panchang
Tyaga is renunciation, and for a householder it takes the form of giving. The seventh day loosened the hold; the eighth opens the hand.
The four daans
Jain teaching names four gifts. Ahar daan — food, especially offered to ascetics. Aushadh daan — medicine and care for the sick. Shastra daan — knowledge and scripture. Abhay daan — fearlessness, the assurance to another being that it is safe from you. The last is regarded as the greatest, and it costs nothing but restraint.
Giving without return
The tradition is strict about the manner of giving. A gift given for recognition, for influence, or with the account kept, is a transaction. Tyaga requires that the giver expect nothing — including gratitude, and including spiritual credit.
Renouncing more than objects
Beyond possessions, tyaga extends to renouncing a grudge, a claim, an entitlement, the last word in an argument. These are often harder to give up than money.
How to observe this day
- Give ahar daan to ascetics, or food to those who need it.
- Give abhay daan — remove a fear you are the cause of.
- Give something you value, not only something you can spare.
- Give anonymously, so that no thanks can return to you.
- Renounce one claim or entitlement you have been holding.
Observance and timings vary between sanghs and regions. Please confirm with your local sangh and panchang. Fasting should be undertaken within your own capacity — consult your guru or an elder, and a doctor if you have any medical condition.
Common questions
What is Uttam Tyaga?
Uttam Tyaga is supreme renunciation, the eighth virtue of Das Lakshan Parva. For householders it is practised as giving — the four daans — offered without expectation of return.
What are the four types of daan in Jainism?
Ahar daan (food), aushadh daan (medicine), shastra daan (knowledge and scripture), and abhay daan (fearlessness). Abhay daan is regarded as the greatest.