In Jain tradition, “Pachkhan” (Pratyakhyan) means a clear vow for the day—what, when, and how you will eat/drink. During Paryushan it keeps your sadhana steady and prevents casual exceptions.

When to take Pachkhan

• Daily time: Take it in the morning, after snatra/puja or samayik, and before you begin any food or water for the day. Speak it clearly before the Jin idol or in the presence of a guru/elder.
• Validity window: Usually “till sunset” for that day. If you want it to continue into night or to the next day (e.g., full fast), say that explicitly.
• Evening restraint: If you intend Chauvihar/Tiovihar, take that vow before sunset of the previous day or at least before the evening pratikraman.

What to take (choose one you can keep without breaking) Shwetambar practice (common options)

• Upvas: No food for the whole day; only boiled water within your set time window. Parna the next morning as per guidance.
• Ayambil: One meal, simple and bland (no fried/masala/ghee/sweets), usually during day, with boiled water only.
• Ekasana: One sitting-meal before sunset; boiled water only during your declared time window.
• Biyasana: Two sittings, both before sunset; boiled water only during declared window.
• Chauvihar: After sunset, no food and no water till next sunrise.
• Tivihar: After sunset, no food; water allowed (usually only boiled, and only till sunset unless stated).
• Boiled-water vow: Fix exact hours for taking only boiled, filtered water (e.g., “from sunrise to 6:00 pm”).

Digambar practice (during Dashalakshan/Paryushan period)

• Same core vrats by intent: Upvas, Ayambil, Ekasana, Biyasana.
• Evening restraint: Observed as no food after sunset; many also avoid water after sunset. State this clearly in your pachkhan/sankalp.
• Emphasis is on the 10 virtues; match your food/water vow to support daily vrata, pratikraman, and svadhyaya.

How to state it (simple format)

• “Today, I take pachkhan for Ayambil: one meal only, bland, with only boiled water between sunrise and 5:00 pm; no food or water after sunset. I will observe samayik and evening pratikraman.”
• Be precise: name the vow, the number of meals/sittings, the allowed water type (boiled) and exact hours, and sunset restraint.

Practical guidance

• Prefer a lighter, unbreakable vow over a heavier one you might break. If a mistake happens, do alochana/prayashchit in pratikraman.
• Fix water hours. Example: “Boiled water from sunrise to 6:00 pm only.”
• Keep all meals before sunset; avoid green/raw root vegetables if that is your local maryada during Paryushan.
• Take daily forgiveness and study (svadhyaya) along with the food/water pachkhan.

If you need ready-made pachkhan wordings and checklists for Paryushan, see this reference from JainKnowledge: