Answer

In Jain practice, Navkārshi means taking food or drink only after about 48 minutes after sunrise, after doing proper pratyākhyān / pachchakkhān according to one’s tradition.

You should take pachchakkhān in the morning, before eating or drinking, with the intention:

• “I will not take food or drink before Navkārshi time.”
• After Navkārshi time is completed, I may take food or drink within proper Jain discipline.

How to Do Navkārshi

• Wake up and do morning religious activities as per your capacity.
• Do Namaskār Mahāmantra with devotion.
• Take pachchakkhān for Navkārshi from a guru, sādhviji, or knowledgeable śrāvak/śrāvikā if available.
• If no one is available, follow the method taught in your family or sampradāy.
• Do not eat or drink until Navkārshi time is over.
• After the proper time, you may do pāraṇu by taking water or suitable food, depending on your vow.

When to Take Pachchakkhān

Pachchakkhān should generally be taken:

• In the morning after waking up
• Before sunrise or before Navkārshi time, according to your tradition
• Before consuming anything

Navkārshi time is counted from sunrise, not from your waking time. So if sunrise is 6:30 AM, Navkārshi completes around 7:18 AM.

Important Note

The exact words of pachchakkhān may vary by Jain tradition, such as Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjak, Sthānakvāsī, Terāpanth, etc. It is best to learn the exact wording from your guru bhagwant, sādhviji, or local Jain upāśray.

Takeaway

Navkārshi is a small but meaningful discipline of self-control. Take pachchakkhān in the morning before eating or drinking, observe restraint until about 48 minutes after sunrise, and then do pāraṇu respectfully.