JainGPT
What is pratikaman
Quick Answer
Pratikraman is a Jain practice of repentance and confession of sins, meaning "to go back" and reflect on one's faults in mind, body, and speech. It includes asking forgiveness from others and forgiving others, performed daily, fortnightly, quarterly, and annually, with the Samvatsari Pratikraman being the most important.
Detailed Answer
Pratikraman is derived from the words "Prati," meaning "back," and "kraman," meaning "to go," signifying a process of going back to review and reflect on one's actions. It is a spiritual practice in Jainism involving repentance and confession of sins committed through mind, body, and speech during daily activities. The practice encourages self-analysis and atonement by seeking forgiveness from others and forgiving their faults, thereby fostering friendship and harmony.
There are different types of Pratikraman based on frequency and severity of vow violations. Daily Pratikraman is performed to address minor violations, while special Pratikramans occur every fortnight (Pakkhi), every four months (Chaumasi), and yearly (Samvatsari). The Samvatsari Pratikraman, observed on the last day of the Paryushan festival, is the most significant, emphasizing universal forgiveness and generating feelings of love and friendliness towards all living beings.
This practice is not only a means of spiritual purification but also contributes to personal happiness and societal harmony by promoting self-awareness, humility, and reconciliation. Through Pratikraman, Jains strive to cleanse their karmic impurities and strengthen their commitment to ethical living.
Source References
This answer is generated by JainGPT and grounded in primary Jain scriptures, commentaries and scholarly texts from our digitised library. See the cited references below and our editorial standards.
Was this answer helpful?
Your feedback helps more seekers find trustworthy Jain wisdom.
🙏 Thank you — your feedback has been recorded.
Read more on this
- Pratikraman: Meaning, the Six Avashyakas and How It Is Performed 'Turning back' - the structured self-review at the centre of Jain practice, performed daily by some and once a year by many.
- Paryushan Parva 2026: Dates, Meaning and How It Is Observed The most important festival in the Jain year: eight days of fasting, scripture and self-examination that end in asking forgiveness of every living being.
- Samvatsari 2026 Date and Michhami Dukkadam Meaning The last day of Paryushan, when Jains ask forgiveness of every living being - and what the phrase everyone sends actually means.
Comments (Loading...)
Please sign in to add comments and vote.