Short answer: Saṃvar means “stoppage of new karmas.” You don’t “take” a separate Saṃvar vow; you create Saṃvar by living with careful restraint and mindfulness. Below is a simple, traditional way for a layperson (śrāvaka/śrāvikā) to practice Saṃvar every day.

What Saṃvar is built on

• Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct (samyak darśan–jñān–cāritra).
• The classic means: 3 Guptis (restraints), 5 Samitis (carefulnesses), vows and reflections, endurance of hardships, and meditation.

Daily practice (simple routine) 1) Morning Samayik (about 48 minutes) - Sit steady, become peaceful, watch the breath, keep friendliness for all beings, and resolve to avoid harm in mind–speech–body for the set period.

2) Pratyākhyān (specific “I will avoid …” resolves) - Make clear resolves for the day, such as: - No night-eating. - No harsh or false speech. - No useless phone/TV/social media during meals or Samayik. - Limit walking/roaming to avoid needless himsā. - Eat simple, measured food; avoid green/underground items if you follow that rule. - Keep them time-bound and realistic (for today, or for the next 48 minutes, etc.).

3) Five Samitis (carefulness) - Īryā: careful walking—avoid trampling small life. - Bhāṣā: gentle, truthful, needful speech only. - Eṣaṇā: pure means of getting food/objects—free of deception or harm. - Ādāna–Nikṣepaṇa: careful taking/placing of things—no injury by carelessness. - Utsarga/Parisrāvana: careful disposal/cleanliness—don’t harm living beings.

4) Three Guptis (restraint) - Mano-gupti: guard thoughts—stop jealousy, anger, pride, deceit. - Vāc-gupti: guard speech—short, truthful, non-hurtful. - Kāya-gupti: guard actions—no violence, theft, sensual indulgence, or greed.

5) Anuprekṣā (reflections) - Daily reflect on the 12 bhāvanās (e.g., impermanence, solitude of the soul, impurity of the body, influx and stoppage of karma). This deepens Saṃvar.

6) Alochanā–Pratikraman–Kṣamāpanā (evening) - Confess lapses, mentally bow to all beings, ask forgiveness, and renew resolves for tomorrow.

Weekly–monthly supports

• Upavās/Poṣadha: observe fasting or semi-fasting and live like a monk/nun for a set time.
• Dāna and Sevā: offer food/needs to sādhus/sādhvīs with humility and non-attachment.
• Svādhyāy: study Tattvas, vratas, and conduct texts to keep understanding sharp.

Vows that strengthen Saṃvar (for householders)

• 12 Śrāvaka vows: 5 Anuvratas (small vows), 3 Guṇa-vratas (quality-increasing vows), 4 Śikṣā-vratas (training vows). Practising these steadily is powerful Saṃvar.

Handling disturbances (Parīṣaha-jaya)

• Bear heat/cold, hunger/thirst, praise/blame, etc., without anger or complaint. This stops fresh karmic influx.

About traditions

• Both Digambar and Śvetāmbara agree on the essence of Saṃvar as the stoppage of karmic influx through gupti, samiti, vows, reflections, endurance, and meditation.
• Names/texts in daily liturgy differ:

- Śvetāmbara: Avasyaka-based Samayik/Pratikraman; Poṣadha observed as per their kalpa. - Digambar: Samayik, Pratikraman, Svādhāyāy with texts like Īriyāvahiyam; Paushadha and stricter daylight-eating are emphasized.

• Follow the guidance of your own tradition’s ācārya/pravartak for exact procedures and timings.

Start today (very simple starter plan)

• Morning: 48-minute Samayik + resolve “no harsh speech, no night-eating, mindful walking” for the day.
• Daytime: practise 5 Samitis in all tasks; keep speech limited and truthful.
• Evening: short Alochanā–Pratikraman; ask forgiveness; renew one small vow for tomorrow.

Essence Whenever you increase carefulness and restraint, Saṃvar rises; whenever carelessness returns, Saṃvar falls. Keep it gentle, steady, and sincere.