Chovihar chodvana pachkhan
Here is a simple, authentic Pachkhan (vow) for Chovihār/Chauvihār, followed by its meaning. I am giving commonly used layperson forms. Use the one that matches your tradition.
Shvetāmbara (Gujarati/Prākrit-style)
“Ichchāmi Khamāsamaṇ! Āj rātresūryāsta thi savāre sūryoday sudhī huṁ Chauvihār no pachkhan karuṁ chhuṁ. Rātre jamvuṁ, pivuṁ, chakhvuṁ ane koi ras-pān grahan karvuṁ nahi. Jiv-dayī padārtho no tyāg rākhi maryādānuṁ pālan karīś. Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṁ.”
“I seek forgiveness from all beings. From today’s sunset until tomorrow’s sunrise I take the vow of Chauvihār. In the night I will not eat, drink, taste, or take any liquids. I will observe the discipline without harming living beings. If I err, may it be forgiven.”
Shvetāmbara (concise Ardhamāgadhī-style)
“Ajja me chauvihāravasae pāṇī-piyaṇa-veraī, rattiṁ bhojana-bhoiyaṇa-veraī, savva-pāvaṇaṁ veramaṇī karemi. Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṁ.”
“From this sunset to sunrise I renounce drinking water and all eating at night, refraining from all sins. Forgive any faults.”
Digambara (Sanskrit/Hindi-style)
“Adya rātrau aruṇodaya-paryantam chauvihāra-vrataṁ gṛhṇāmi. Rātrau bhojana-pāna-rasa-grahaṇaṁ sarvam varjayāmi. Maryādāṁ pālayiṣyāmi. Kṛta-doṣeṣu kṣamā yācatē—Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṁ.”
“From tonight until dawn I take the vow of Chauvihār. At night I will abstain from all food, water, and liquids. I will keep the discipline. If I err, I seek forgiveness.”
Notes on practice
- Shvetāmbara: Chauvihār means no food or water after sunset until sunrise. Some households say this Pachkhan daily at sunset.
- Digambara: The same principle is observed as “rātri-bhojana-tyāga”—no food or water after sunset until dawn.
How to take it
- Stand calmly (or join hands), focus on ahiṁsā and saiyam, speak the Pachkhan clearly, and end with “Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṁ.”
- If you are already on Ekāsan, Upavās, or Āyambil, you may state that first, then add the Chauvihār Pachkhan.
May this vow strengthen your saiyam and carefulness (samyak-samiti) through the night.
Posted by
