Muthi Pachkhan (or Muthi Saiyam Pachkhan) is a simple Jain food‑restraint vow where you decide in advance to eat only a limited number of “muthis” (fistfuls) of food.

Very simple meaning:

• “Muthi” = a fistful (your closed hand full of food)
• “Pachkhan / Pachchakkhan / Pratyakhyan” = a formal vow / resolve

So, Muthi Pachkhan = a vow to eat only a fixed number of fistfuls of food in a meal or for a set time (for example, for the whole day).

Basic way it is done:

1. Before eating, you stand respectfully (ideally after a small prayer or samayik).
2. In front of a Guru or, if not possible, in front of Jina idol / scripture, you take a vow, like:

- “Today I will take only 2 (or 3, etc.) muthis per meal.”

1. Then, during the meal, your food quantity is measured by your own fist and you do not cross that limit.

Purpose:

• To practice saiyam (self‑control)
• To reduce raag‑dwesh (attachment and aversion) toward taste and quantity
• To support samvar–nirjara (stopping and shedding of karmas) by limiting indulgence

Tradition notes (Shvetambar / Digambar):

• Shvetambar usually says “pachchakkhan / pachkhan”,
• Digambar generally uses “pratyakhyan” and links this to parimaan‑vrat (measured‑amount vow).
• In both, the core idea is the same: fix a clear, small quantity and stick to it with honesty.

You can read more about Muthi Pachkhan here: