Here is a simple, traditional picture of the sok (shok) period in Jain practice, with common rules and what varies by tradition.

• How long the sok lasts

- A typical mourning period is about 8–10 days after death, during which people focus on home rites and remembrance rather than temple visits. The exact length can vary by family and region, and some communities observe a shorter or longer span depending on local custom. After this period and the main death rites are completed, families may resume regular temple visits. You can read more about the general mourning timeframe here.

• What people do during sok

- Stay away from major festive or public events; focus on静 (vairāgya) and purification of the mind. - Perform simple, home-based puja or prayers (often reciting prayers like the Navkār mantra and other modest Jain prayers). - Conduct small rites at home or at the cremation site, led by elders, without elaborate or lavish ceremonies. - Practice shanti or pratikraman for self-purification and inner peace, rather than aiming to transfer blessings to the departed. - Engage in charity or acts of moral uplift in memory of the deceased as a form of wholesome merit. - The general principle is nonviolence (ahiṃsā) and detachment during mourning; the focus is on the living’s purification and support for the departed soul’s journey according to its karma. - See a summary of these post-death practices here.

• Differences between Digambar and Śvetambar

- The core idea—mourning with vairāgya, simple rites, and focusing on the living—is shared. - The exact sequence, names of rites, and permissible activities can differ by lineage and local tradition. Some communities may emphasize slightly different prayers, timings, or the ordering of rites. If you tell me whether you follow Digambar or Śvetambar traditions and your region, I can outline the precise sequence and names used in that lineage.

• What is not part of sok

- Elaborate temple ceremonies or long, resource-intensive rituals are avoided during sok. - The departed soul’s mokṣa is not achieved through these rites; the rites are primarily for the welfare and purification of the mourners and respectful remembrance of the departed.

If you’d like, tell me your tradition (Digambar or Śvetambar) and your region, and I’ll give you a pinpointed, step-by-step outline of the exact sok practices used in that tradition.