Answer

In Jain Dharma, Devsi Pratikraman is done after sunset because it is the repentance and self-review for the daytime activities.

Rai Pratikraman is done before sunrise because it is the repentance and self-review for the nighttime activities.

Explanation

Pratikraman means to “return back” from faults — to reflect on mistakes, ask forgiveness, and strengthen one’s resolve for right conduct.

There are two daily Pratikramans:

• Devsi Pratikraman: Done in the evening after the day is completed. It is for faults committed during the day.
• Rai Pratikraman: Done early in the morning before sunrise. It is for faults committed during the night.

The timing is connected to the natural division of time:

• Day ends at sunset, so one reviews the day after sunset.
• Night ends at sunrise, so one reviews the night before sunrise.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma teaches constant awareness of one’s thoughts, words, and actions. By doing Pratikraman at these two transition times, a person does not allow mistakes to remain unnoticed for long.

It helps cultivate:

• self-discipline,
• humility,
• forgiveness,
• carefulness in ahimsa,
• and purification of the soul.

Takeaway

Devsi Pratikraman is after sunset to repent for the day’s faults, and Rai Pratikraman is before sunrise to repent for the night’s faults. Both help the soul return toward purity and awareness.