Answer

In Jain Dharma, Pratikraman is traditionally done at specific times depending on the type of Pratikraman:

• Devasi Pratikraman – done in the evening, after the day’s activities, before night.
• Rai Pratikraman – done in the morning, after waking up.
• Pakshik Pratikraman – done once every fortnight, on the 14th day or appropriate tithi.
• Chaumasi Pratikraman – done once every four months.
• Samvatsari Pratikraman – done once a year during Paryushan, on Samvatsari day.

Explanation

For daily practice:

• Morning Pratikraman helps reflect on faults committed during the night.
• Evening Pratikraman helps reflect on faults committed during the day.

If one cannot do the full Pratikraman at the exact traditional time, it is still spiritually beneficial to do it with sincerity, humility, and repentance whenever possible.

Spiritual Understanding

Pratikraman means turning back from mistakes and returning toward the soul’s pure nature. The time is important, but the inner feeling of alochana repentance, pratikraman correction, and pratyakhyan resolve not to repeat the fault is even more important.

Takeaway

Ideally, do Rai Pratikraman in the morning and Devasi Pratikraman in the evening. If that is not possible, do it as regularly and sincerely as you can.