Pratikramana
Pratikramana (प्रतिक्रमण) means “reflection,” “repentance,” or “returning.” In Jainism, it refers to the ritual of confession and repentance in which the practitioner reviews the violations of the vows and seeks forgiveness from all beings.
Overview
Pratikramana is the ritual of self-examination and repentance — the practitioner reflects on the violations of the mahavratas (great vows) and anuvratas (small vows) committed during the day, week, month, or year. The Namokar Mantra (the fivefold obeisance) is the central prayer of pratikramana: “I bow to the Arihants (destroyers of enemies), the Siddhas (perfected ones), the Acharyas (spiritual leaders), the Upadhyayas (teachers), and the Sadhu-sangha (community of monks).”
Philosophical Context
Pratikramana is the practical application of the Jain teaching that every action — physical, verbal, or mental — produces karma that binds the soul. The Tattvartha Sutra (7.11) states: “Repentance for the sins committed is pratikramana.” The ritual involves: (1) pratikramana (reflection on violations), (2) pratyakhyan (resolution not to repeat), (3) prayaschitta (penance), and (4) vandana (worship). The Purushartha Siddhyupaya of Amritachandra provides the detailed procedure.
Interpretations
The Svetambara tradition recognizes four forms of pratikramana: devasi (daily repentance), pakshika (fortnightly repentance), chaumasi (four-monthly repentance), and samvatsari (annual repentance). The Digambara tradition emphasizes kayotsarga (abandonment of the body) as the primary form of repentance. In modern Jainism, pratikramana is performed daily in temples and homes — it is one of the most widely practiced Jain rituals. The Pratikramana ritual is also performed at death — the dying person is encouraged to recite the Namokar Mantra and seek forgiveness from all beings.
Verification Notes
- Tattvartha Sutra 7.11 on pratikramana as repentance.
- Purushartha Siddhyupaya of Amritachandra on the procedure.
- Audited against Wikipedia and Jain philosophy references (September 2026).