Here is a simple, text-by-text explanation of Pachakhan (also called Pachkhan) as commonly practiced in Jainism, based on authentic Jain sources.

What Pachakhan means (word-to-word idea)

• Pachakhan: a vow or pledge to observe a special austerity or restraint (tapas) for a set period.
• It mainly prescribes limiting food and sometimes drink, and sometimes other activities, to purify karma and practice self-discipline.
• Different forms (taps) have different time rules, for example:

- Sadhporsi Pachakhan: do not eat or drink anything until a fixed time after sunrise, then sit still, fold hands, and recite a prayer (Navkar) before eating. - Panhar Pachakhan: do not eat or drink after sunset until the next sunrise. - Navkarsi Pachakhan: a shorter form where you wait a short time after sunrise before eating, then perform a Navkar recitation.

• After completing the vow for the day, one may resume normal meals, but the purpose is karmic shedding and heightened mindfulness during the practice.

Original lines (common format seen in practice)

• The usual chant style begins with a respectful reference to the Sun, then salutation, and then the vow’s name, followed by lists of what is abstained from (food, drink, etc.), and ends with timings and ritual actions (like Navkar recitation) before eating.
• An example phrase fragment (typical structure) is:

Uggae Sure, Namukkaara-Sahiam, Mutthisahiam, Pachchakkhaai (Pachchakkhaami), Chauviham Pi, Aahaaram, Asanam, Paanam, Khaaimam, Saaimam, Annathanaabhogenam, Sahasaagaarenam, Mahattaraagarenam, Savvasamaahivattiyaa-Gaarenam, Vosirai. This template appears in several Jain writings and commentaries about Pachakhan (Pachkan) practice. ( jainliterature.weebly.com)

Key meanings you can rely on

• Pachakhan = a daily vow to regulate eating and certain activities as part of tapas.
• It is used to help shed karma (karma nirjara) and to keep one mindful of discipline during spiritual practice. For example, performing certain Pachakhan for a day is traditionally believed to help shed a large amount of karmic burden.
• The form and exact wording vary a little between Digambar and Shwetambar communities, but the core idea—limit eating and observe the vow for a period—is the same.

Where to read more (JainKnowledge.com)

• You can read more here about Pachkan/Pachakhan and its forms:

If you’d like, I can give a very precise, line-by-line gloss for a specific Pachakhan text (for a Digambar or a Shwetambar version), with the exact words and their Jain-dharmic meanings.