Answer

No, doing Pratikraman with a book is not worse than doing it without a book.

In Jain Dharma, the main importance is:

• Bhav — inner feeling of repentance and humility
• Awareness — understanding what you are saying
• Correct pronunciation as much as possible
• Sincere desire to remove faults

If a book helps you do Pratikraman correctly and with concentration, then using a book is good.

Explanation

Pratikraman is not merely reciting words from memory. It is a spiritual practice of:

• remembering one’s mistakes,
• asking forgiveness,
• repenting for wrong actions,
• resolving not to repeat them,
• and purifying the soul.

If someone knows the sutras by heart and can do Pratikraman with full awareness, that is excellent.

But if someone does not remember all sutras correctly, using a book prevents mistakes and supports proper practice. It is better to read with sincerity than to recite from memory carelessly or incorrectly.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, external method is helpful, but inner purity is most important.

Pratikraman without a book may be beneficial if done with concentration and understanding. Pratikraman with a book may also be fully beneficial if done with devotion, humility, and awareness.

The book itself does not reduce the value of Pratikraman. Lack of attention, mechanical recitation, pride, or carelessness reduces its spiritual value.

Takeaway

Using a book for Pratikraman is not inferior. It is better to do Pratikraman with a book and true bhav than without a book but with distraction or mistakes.