Pratikaman in English

Here is Pratikraman explained very simply in English.

1. Meaning of the word “Pratikraman”

• “Prati” = back / again
• “Kraman” = going / stepping

So Pratikraman means “going back from our faults” – returning from wrong actions (atikraman) to the right path.

2. What is Pratikraman?

In Jain Dharma, Pratikraman is a regular practice of:

• Looking back at our day (self‑reflection)
• Admitting our mistakes (confession)
• Feeling true regret (repentance)
• Asking forgiveness from all living beings
• Taking a firm promise not to repeat those mistakes

By this, the bondage of karma becomes lighter and we move our soul towards purity.

You can read a short, clear explanation here

3. What is included in Pratikraman? (Six Avashyak in easy English)

Traditional Pratikraman is built on six essentials (avashyak):

1. Samayik – sitting calmly in one place with a peaceful mind, seeing all souls as equal.
2. Chauvisantho / Chaturvimshati‑stava – praising the 24 Tirthankars.
3. Vandana – respectfully bowing to sadhus and sadhvis (monks and nuns).
4. Pratikraman – Alochana – honestly accepting our faults of mind, speech and body.
5. Kayotsarg – keeping the body still and focusing on the soul, separate from the body.
6. Pratyakhyan – taking resolutions like “From now on I will not do this fault again.”

A simple description is also given here

4. When is Pratikraman done?

Traditional types:

• Devasi (Evening) Pratikraman – for faults of the day.
• Raisi / Rai (Morning) Pratikraman – for faults of the night.
• Pakshik – once every fortnight (every 15 days).
• Chaumasi – once every four months.
• Samvatsari – once a year; most important, during Paryushan (Śvetāmbara).

Digambar tradition gives the same importance to repentance and forgiveness, especially during Das Lakshan and Kshamavani (Forgiveness Day).

More on timing:

5. Purpose in simple words

• To clean the soul of karmic dirt
• To control anger, pride, deceit, and greed
• To live more carefully in ahimsa (non‑violence), truth, non‑stealing, brahmacharya, and non‑possessiveness
• To develop forgiveness, humility, and inner peace

If you wanted “Pratikraman in English” as in full English text of the sutras, that usually depends on which tradition and which Pratikraman (Śvetāmbara daily, Samvatsari, Digambar, etc.). It is best to use a printed Pratikraman book or PDF from your own sect that has:

• Original Prakrit/Sanskrit/Gujarati text
• Line‑by‑line English meaning

so that the traditional words and their true Jain meaning are preserved.