Answer

In Jain Dharma, Vratas are vows taken for self-discipline, purity, and spiritual progress. The main vratas are divided into two groups:

1. Five Mahavratas – for monks and nuns
2. Twelve Anuvratas and supporting vows – for householders

Explanation

1) Five Mahavratas

These are the great vows observed by ascetics.

• Ahimsa Mahavrata – complete non-violence in thought, word, and deed
• Satya Mahavrata – complete truthfulness
• Asteya Mahavrata – complete non-stealing
• Brahmacharya Mahavrata – complete celibacy and control of senses
• Aparigraha Mahavrata – complete non-possession and non-attachment

These are called Maha-vratas because they are observed in their fullest form.

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2) Five Anuvratas

These are the smaller vows observed by householders.

• Ahimsa Anuvrata – limited non-violence, as far as practical in गृहस्थ जीवन
• Satya Anuvrata – limited truthfulness
• Asteya Anuvrata – limited non-stealing
• Brahmacharya Anuvrata – restraint in sensual conduct, especially loyalty in marriage
• Aparigraha Anuvrata – limiting possessions and reducing greed

These vows help a layperson live a spiritual life while staying in household duties.

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3) Three Gunavratas

These are supporting vows that strengthen the Anuvratas.

• Digvrata – limiting one’s movement to fixed directions and distances
• Deshavrata – limiting activity to a particular place or area
• Anarthadanda Viramana – avoiding purposeless sinful activities such as harmful speech, violence, or unnecessary actions

These vows reduce worldly involvement and protect the mind from carelessness.

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4) Four Shikshavratas

These are disciplinary vows that train the soul further.

• Samayika – practicing equanimity and meditation for a fixed time
• Deshavakasika – limiting daily activities even more strictly for a set time
• Paushadha – observing a spiritual fast with discipline, often like a temporary monastic mode
• Atithi Samvibhaga – offering food and support to worthy ascetics and the needy with purity and respect

These vows deepen inner discipline and devotion.

Spiritual Understanding

Vratas in Jainism are not just rules. They are steps toward conquering passions like anger, greed, pride, and deceit. Each vow helps reduce karmic bondage and increases purity of soul.

• Mahavratas are for full renunciation
• Anuvratas are for gradual spiritual progress
• Gunavratas strengthen discipline
• Shikshavratas train the mind and life toward detachment

Takeaway

The 12 vows of a householder are:

• 5 Anuvratas
• 3 Gunavratas
• 4 Shikshavratas

And for ascetics, there are the 5 Mahavratas.

If you want, I can also give you a simple table of all vratas with meanings for easy study.