Here is a simple, tradition-safe way to understand and take “Chovihār pālvanā pacchkhan” (Chauvihār Palvana Pachchhan).

Meaning of the words

• Chovihār: renouncing all four types of āhār–vihār at night; for laypeople this means no food or water from sunset until next sunrise.
• Pālvanā: to observe/keep.
• Pacchkhan (Pratyākhyān): the formal vow/resolve taken consciously.

Common Shvetāmbara form (seed line in Prākrit)

• “Chauvihāraṃ paṭikkhāmi.”

Meaning: “I renounce/undertake Chauvihār (no food or water after sunset).”

Simple layperson vow (Hindi/Gujarati-style, tradition-safe)

• “Āj ke sūryāst se kal ke sūryodaya tak main Chovihār pālūṅgā/pālūṅgī. Main ann, pānī, aur kisi bhi ras-dravya ka sevān nahi karūṅgā/karūṅgī.”

Meaning: “From today’s sunset until tomorrow’s sunrise I will observe Chauvihār. I will not take food, water, or any drink.”

How to take it (basic procedure)

• Before or at sunset, in front of an image of Arihant or with joined palms, take the pacchkhan consciously.
• Mentally recall the purpose: saṃyam (self-restraint), ahiṃsā (minimizing harm), and saṃvara (stopping new karmas).
• Keep vigilance through the night; next morning, complete the vow after sunrise.

Notes on traditions

• Shvetāmbara: The short Prākrit seed “Chauvihāraṃ paṭikkhāmi” is commonly used; families often add the plain-language resolve as above.
• Digambara: The intent is the same (no food or water after sunset until sunrise). Wording of the pratyākhyāna may vary by guru-paramparā; follow the version given by your ācārya/āryikā/upādhyāya.

Gentle discipline points

• Timing is from actual local sunset to next sunrise.
• Medicines, if truly necessary, should be as per your tradition’s guidance (often only with previously boiled/cooled water).
• Keep body, speech, and mind restrained; avoid night-time activities that increase hiṃsā.

If you want the vow in only-Prākrit/only-Gujarati as you use at home, please use the exact wording taught by your guru or family tradition to preserve purity, and keep the above seed line as the core: “Chauvihāraṃ paṭikkhāmi.”