In Jain Dharma, pachkhaan means a vow / resolution to limit a certain activity for a specific time with awareness and discipline.

How to take any pachkhaan

1) Be clear about the vow

Decide:

• What you are giving up or limiting
• For how long
• From when to when

Example:

• No food after sunset
• No taking water after a certain time
• No eating certain items until a fixed time

2) Take it with a clean and calm mind

Before taking pachkhaan:

• remain शांत and attentive
• avoid anger, ego, or carelessness
• remember Ahimsa, संयम, and परिग्रह-tyag

3) Say it in proper form

You can take pachkhaan:

• in front of a Sadhu/Sadhvi
• in front of a Jin Bhagwan
• or with sincere self-discipline if alone

Usually it is taken by saying:

• the name of the vow
• the time period
• the start and end time

4) Make it specific

A pachkhaan should not be vague.

Good:

• “I will not eat after sunset today.”
• “I will not take food for 2 hours.”
• “I will not use X item until tomorrow morning.”

5) Keep it with sincerity

After taking it:

• do not break it carelessly
• if accidental breaking happens, accept it with repentance
• continue with humility

6) End it properly

When the time is over, the vow is considered complete. Then you may take it back with awareness and gratitude.

Simple way to take pachkhaan

You can say mentally or verbally:

“I take this pachkhaan from now until [time/date], that I will not [specific thing].”

Important Jain principle

Pachkhaan is not just a habit—it is self-restraint. Its real value is in:

• sincerity
• clarity
• non-violence
• discipline

Common forms

Some common pachkhaan are:

• Navkarshi
• Porsi
• Sadhporsi
• Purimaddha
• Avaddha
• Chaauvihar
• Ekasana
• Biyasana
• Upvas
• Aayambil

If you want, I can also give you the exact simple words for taking a common pachkhaan like Navkarsi, Chaauvihar, or Ekasana.