Answer

In Jain Pratikraman, doing Vaandana means respectfully bowing to and honoring the Guru, Sādhu-Sādhvī Bhagwant, and spiritually elevated beings.

The word Vaandana means reverential salutation or humble bowing with devotion.

Explanation

During Pratikraman, Vaandana is performed to express:

• Vinay — humility and respect
• Devotion toward Guru and Dharma
• Gratitude for spiritual guidance
• Repentance for any disrespect or faults committed knowingly or unknowingly
• Readiness to learn and walk on the path of right conduct

In Jain Dharma, Guru is highly respected because Guru guides the soul away from wrong conduct and toward samyak darshan, samyak jnan, and samyak charitra.

Spiritual Understanding

Vaandana is not just a physical bow. Its deeper meaning is to reduce ego.

When we bow with true feeling, we accept:

• “I still have faults to remove.”
• “I need guidance on the path of liberation.”
• “I respect those who are walking ahead on the spiritual path.”

This humility helps purify the mind and supports the purpose of Pratikraman, which is self-reflection, repentance, and spiritual correction.

Takeaway

Vaandana in Pratikraman means bowing with humility, respect, and repentance, so that ego reduces and the soul becomes more receptive to Dharma.