Exposition Of Pratikramana Stotras

2 Exposition of Pratikramana StotrasC. Pratiharana: To be vigilant to protect the right conduct.D. Varana: To keep control over the senses.E. Nivrutti: To retreat withinF. Nindä: To reprehend one-self for any improper actions.G. Grahä: To reprehend in front of a monk or a spiritual teacher.H. Shuddhi: To cleanse by atonement or by performing penances.5. Pratyäkhyäna: Practice of self-denial by recitation of hymns toward off future faults. It is a gradual process of renunciation. Thefulfillment of 5 major vows and lesser vows, practice of spiritualvows of self discipline (guna vrata) and self mortification (shikshävrata) all fall within the scope of pratyäkhyäna. It helps incleansing and enhancing the austerity and inner strength(tapächära and viryächära).6. Käyotsarga: Rite of abandonment of body for improper deeds(atichära) for a limited time. A person who practices thekäyotsarga is required to keep his mind, body and speech underperfect restraint. From time point of view it is concerned with thepresent. It helps in cleansing and enhancing the inner strength(viryächära).“Atitam padikkamämi, paduppannam samvaremi, anägayampachchkkhämi.” I step out of past (pratikramana), I practice selfrestraintwith regard to the present (käyotsarga); I practiceabstinence with regards to future (pratyäkhyäna).The purpose of performing the pratikramana is to eradicate theeffects of past misdeeds, while the purpose of practicingpratyäkhyäna is to stop possibility of committing sins in future andthe purpose of atoning by käyotsarga is to cleanse the sins ofpresent time. All these six essential duties should be carefullystudied and systematically practiced with the intention of clearingthe path of progress of an aspirant towards the attainment ofemancipation.