Answer

In the Deravasi Shvetambar tradition, Devasia Pratikraman is the evening Pratikraman performed for faults committed during the day. Its purpose is to reflect on daily conduct, ask forgiveness, repent for mistakes, and renew the resolve to live with more awareness and non-violence.

The exact procedure can vary slightly by gaccha, sangh, and family tradition, so it should ideally be learned from a knowledgeable sadhu, sadhviji, or trained shravak/shravika.

General Procedure

A commonly followed Deravasi Devasia Pratikraman sequence includes:

• Preparation
  • Clean body and clothes.
  • Sit in a clean place, usually facing east or north if possible.
  • Keep muhpatti, charavalo/rajoharan as per tradition.
  • Set the intention to do Pratikraman with humility and repentance.
• Initial Namaskar and Vandana
  • Recite Navkar Mantra.
  • Offer mental reverence to Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, and Sadhus.
  • Begin with the proper Pratikraman posture and humility.
• Samayik
  • Take the vow of Samayik for equanimity.
  • Remain in a calm, restrained, and spiritually focused state.
• Chauvisattho / Praise of the 24 Tirthankars
  • Remember and praise the 24 Tirthankars.
  • This develops devotion and right spiritual focus.
• Vandana
  • Offer reverence to Guru Bhagwant.
  • If no sadhu or sadhviji is present, it is done mentally or according to household tradition.
• Pratikraman Sutras
  • Reflect on faults committed through mind, speech, and body during the day.
  • Common parts include confession, repentance, and request for forgiveness.
  • Important recitations often include sutras such as:
    • Iriyavahiya
    • Tassa Uttari
    • Annattha
    • Logassa
    • Karemi Bhante
    • Ichchhami Khamasamano
    • Micchami Dukkadam
• Atichar Alochana
  • Review violations of vows and daily discipline.
  • For shravaks and shravikas, this includes reflection on faults related to:
    • Ahimsa
    • Satya
    • Achaurya
    • Brahmacharya according to one’s vow
    • Aparigraha
    • Food, travel, business, speech, and careless activity
• Kausagga
  • Stand or sit in meditative stillness.
  • Give up attachment to the body for a short period.
  • Contemplate the soul as separate from the body.
• Pratyakhyan / Pachchakkhan
  • Take appropriate renunciation for the night or future period.
  • This may include avoiding certain foods, activities, or careless actions.
• Forgiveness and Completion
  • Ask forgiveness for all faults committed knowingly or unknowingly.
  • Recite Micchami Dukkadam with sincere feeling.
  • Conclude with reverence and peaceful reflection.

Spiritual Understanding

Devasia Pratikraman is not only a recitation. It is a process of inner purification.

It includes:

• Alochana – accepting one’s faults honestly.
• Pratikraman – turning back from wrong actions.
• Pratyakhyan – resolving not to repeat them.
• Kshamapana – seeking forgiveness from all living beings.
• Kausagga – developing awareness of the pure soul.

Important Note

The full Deravasi Devasia Pratikraman has a precise order, pronunciation, gestures, and sutra sequence. Because sacred sutras must be preserved exactly, it is best to follow an authorized Pratikraman book from your Deravasi sangh or learn directly from a guru or knowledgeable teacher.

Takeaway

Devasia Pratikraman is the daily evening practice of self-examination, repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal. Its true benefit comes not only from reciting the sutras, but from doing it with humility, awareness, and sincere desire to purify the soul.