Here’s a simple, authentic way to take Pachchakkhan (Pratyakhyān) for today’s fast. Today’s date is August 25, 2025.

Choose your vow first

• Upvaas (complete fast, no food)
• Ayambil (one bland meal, no taste-enhancers)
• Ekāsan (one meal, normal items allowed; water allowed in day)
• Biyasana (two meals in day)
• Tivihār (food and water only till sunset)
• Chauvihār (no food and no water after sunset)

When to take Pachchakkhan

• Best: before sunrise today (or the previous evening for Chauvihār).
• If no Guru is available, you may take it yourself facing Dev–Guru–Shāstra after reciting Namokār Mantra.

How to take it (simple wording you can speak clearly) 1) Bow (Namokār Mantra). 2) State your name, place, and today’s date. 3) Say your vow plainly and the rules you will follow.

Examples (keep it simple and truthful)

Shvetāmbara practice (common way to keep)

• Upvaas: “Today, I take the vow of Upvaas. I will not take any food today. I will take only pre‑boiled, cooled water during daylight, and no water after sunset. I will observe carefulness, avoid fault, and do Pratikraman. Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ.”
• Ayambil: “Today, I take the vow of Ayambil. I will eat only one tasteless meal (no milk/curd/ghee/oil/sugar/spices/green vegetables), and only boiled water during daylight; no water after sunset. I will remain vigilant and do Pratikraman. Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ.”
• Ekāsan: “Today, I take the vow of Ekāsan. I will eat one meal only, at one sitting, with only boiled water in the day; no water after sunset. I will observe carefulness and do Pratikraman. Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ.”
• Tivihār/Chauvihār: “Today, I take the vow of Tivihār (or Chauvihār). I will take food and water only till sunset (for Tivihār) / I will take neither food nor water after sunset (for Chauvihār). I will remain careful. Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ.”

Digambara practice (common way to keep)

• Upvaas: “Today, I take the vow of Upvaas. I will not take any food. According to my capacity, I will observe nirjala (no water); if required by health, only limited water in daytime, none after sunset. I will practice sāmayika/pratikraman and vigilance. Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ.”
• Ayambil/Ekāsan/Tivihār/Chauvihār: Same structure as above; speak clearly the exact restraints. Many Digambara followers keep Upvaas as nirjala; follow your ācārya/muni’s maryādā.

Helpful details

• Water: Use only previously boiled and cooled water during daylight. After sunset, do not drink water (Chauvihār).
• One-sitting rules (Ekāsan/Ayambil): one place, one sitting, no second helping from kitchen, no taste-seeking.
• Ayambil food idea: plain boiled grains/pulses/flour prep, without oil, ghee, milk, curd, sugar, jaggery, spices, fruits, greens.
• Close the vow at day’s end with Khamāpanā (asking forgiveness) and short pratikraman.

If you have a Guru/upādhyāy nearby, take Pachchakkhan from them as per your gaccha/saṅgh maryādā. If health issues arise, relax the vow truthfully by speaking out the change (uday‑apacaya) and asking forgiveness.

Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ.