Answer

In Jain Sthanakvasi Pratikraman, different āsans/postures are used at different stages to show humility, repentance, reverence, meditation, and discipline.

The commonly used postures are:

• Sitting posture – for most recitations and reflections
• Standing posture – during devotional reverence and certain vows/recitations
• Khamāsana / bowing posture – for asking forgiveness and showing humility
• Kāyotsarga posture – for meditation, stillness, and detachment from the body

General Order During Sthanakvasi Pratikraman

The exact sequence can vary slightly by local tradition and guru-paramparā, but generally:

• At the beginning – sit respectfully in a steady posture.
• During Vandana / Guru-vandan type parts – perform khamāsana or bowing as instructed.
• During Iriyāvahiya / repentance for movement-related faults – usually recited while sitting, followed by reflection.
• During Kāyotsarga – remain in kāyotsarga posture, either standing or sitting depending on health and tradition.
• During Logassa / Namutthunam / devotional recitations – often done in standing or kāyotsarga posture in many traditions.
• During Alochana and Pratikraman sutras – generally seated with attention and repentance.
• During forgiveness prayers such as Khamemi Savva Jive – recited with humility, usually seated or with folded hands.
• At the end – bow respectfully and complete with inner forgiveness and peace.

Main Āsans Explained

• Sitting Āsan:
  Sit calmly with folded legs if possible. Keep the body steady, speech controlled, and mind focused on repentance and purification.
• Standing Āsan:
  Stand respectfully with awareness. This is used where reverence, vows, or kāyotsarga is performed according to local practice.
• Khamāsana:
  A posture of bowing and humility. It expresses, “I bow down and ask forgiveness.” It is especially connected with reverence to Guru, Dharma, and repentance.
• Kāyotsarga:
  Literally means “abandoning attachment to the body.” One remains still and meditates on the soul, separate from the body. This is one of the most important postures in Pratikraman.

Important Note

In Sthanakvasi tradition, the exact instruction for when to sit, stand, bow, or do kāyotsarga may differ slightly from one sangh or guru-paramparā to another. Therefore, for daily practice, it is best to follow the method taught by your own Guru, Upadhyāy, Sādhu-Sādhvīji, or local Sthanakvasi sangh.

Takeaway

The purpose of every āsan in Pratikraman is not only physical posture, but inner purity:

• Sitting brings steadiness.
• Standing shows alertness and reverence.
• Khamāsana expresses humility.
• Kāyotsarga develops detachment and soul-awareness.