✦ Jain Pachchakkhan ✦
✦ Jain Pratyakhyana — daily renunciation-vow system ✦
✦ What is Jain Pachchakkhan? ✦
Jain Pachchakkhan (Pali: pacchakkhana; Sanskrit: pratyakhyana) is a fundamental spiritual practice in Jainism. "Prati + akhyana" — meaning "explicit declaration of renunciation". Shravakas and shravikas take 9 types of pachchakkhans daily, beginning with Navkarshi.
The purpose of pachchakkhan — karma-nirjara (the burning off of old karmas), sense-restraint, and observance of shiksha-vrata. Each pachchakkhan involves renouncing food, water, or specific activities for a fixed period. Digambara and Shwetambara traditions observe these with some variations.
In the Jain panchang, pachchakkhan periods are precisely timed — based on sunrise and prahar (3-hour quarter) reckoning. Special pachchakkhans are taken during Paryushana, Ashtanhika, Oli, and Chaturmas. This is part of Tirthankara Mahavira's teachings.
✦ Concept & Rule ✦
9 standard pachchakkhans — (1) Navkarshi: food-fast for 48 minutes after sunrise; (2) Porisi: until 3 hours after sunrise; (3) Sadh-Porisi: until 4.5 hours after sunrise; (4) Purimaddh: until midday; (5) Avaddh: until afternoon; (6) Ekasana: one meal a day; (7) Beasana: two-meal day; (8) Ayambil: bland food (no oil/spices); (9) Upvas: complete 24-hour fast. The "Navkar mantra" must be recited with each pachchakkhan.