Vanditu (Vandittu) is a short Prakrit sutra from the Shvetambar Jain Pratikraman. It is a reverential bow recited near the beginning of the rite to honor the Panch Parameshti (Arihanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and all Sadhus) and to set a humble, purified state of mind before asking forgiveness and doing pratikraman. “Vandittu” literally means “having bowed.”

Important note on traditions:

• Shvetambar: Vanditu is part of the daily Pratikraman liturgy. The exact wording can differ slightly between sub-sects and books.
• Digambar: This specific “Vanditu” sutra is not used; Digambar Pratikraman has different vandanā verses with the same spirit of bowing and humility.

Simple, faithful translation (keeping the traditional intent)

• Having bowed to all Arihantas, to all Siddhas, to all Acharyas, to all Upadhyayas, and to all Sadhus, I (now) bow.
• Having bowed to the Supreme Ones, may my mind become pure; may faults be diminished; may equanimity arise.
• I pay reverence to the Enlightened Ones, the Liberated Ones, the Spiritual Leaders, the Preceptors, and the Saints; I take refuge in their path.
• By their grace and by following their teaching, may delusion, attachment, and aversion subside.
• May the auspicious (śubha) dispositions of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct grow in me.
• I bow again and again to the Five Supreme Ones; this bow destroys sins and brings auspiciousness.
• Having thus bowed, I begin the rite of repentance, confession, and inner purification with sincerity and steadiness.

Notes

• The above conveys the full sense (arth) of Vanditu as preserved in Shvetambar practice. Line-by-line wordings can differ across Pratikraman pothis; the essence remains bowing to the Panch Parameshti, seeking inner purity, and entering pratikraman with humility.
• If you follow a particular gaccha/sect, use the wording in your own Pratikraman book for recitation; meanings remain the same.

For a gentle overview of Pratikraman and the Panch Parameshti, see: