Answer

If you have taken a Jain vow and now feel you cannot follow it, you should not ignore it. Do sincere pratikraman, repentance, and forgiveness, and then make a more realistic vow that you can actually maintain.

You do not need to choose a strict penance like upvas on your own unless a guru, sadhu/sadhvi, or knowledgeable Jain guide advises it.

Explanation

In Jain Dharma, two things matter:

• Sincerity of intention
• Truthfulness in keeping a vow

If a vow is becoming impossible, it is better to honestly स्वीकार करें that it is beyond your current strength than to keep breaking it again and again.

A good approach is:

• Reflect on why the vow became difficult
• Ask forgiveness inwardly and through pratikraman
• Do a small, meaningful repentance
• Replace the vow with something practical

For example:

• Instead of “no Instagram forever,” take “no Instagram during study hours” or “only once a day”
• Instead of “never junk food,” take “no junk food on weekdays” or “only on special occasions”

Spiritual Understanding

In Jainism, prāyaścitta is meant to purify the mind, reduce carelessness, and strengthen self-discipline. It should not become a source of fear or self-punishment.

The real spirit is:

• awareness
• regret for weakness
• resolve to सुधारना
• gentleness with yourself, but not negligence

Takeaway

Yes, some repentance/prāyaścitta is appropriate, but not necessarily upvas. The best Jain response is:

• admit the difficulty honestly
• do pratikraman/forgiveness
• take a smaller and realistic vow
• follow it steadily

If the vow was taken formally, it is wise to seek guidance from a Jain spiritual teacher for the proper penance.