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## Fourth Study: Pratikramana
[39 _ Avabhasana Bhiksha - Begging for a specific item in food. Svadhyaya and Pratilekhana Dosha Nivritti Sutra]
"I do Pratikramana for Svadhyaya and Pratilekhana. If, due to carelessness, I have not done Svadhyaya in the four periods of the day and night, the first and last periods, or if I have not done Pratilekhana of clothes, utensils, etc. in the morning and evening, or if I have not done it properly, or if I have not done the cleaning, or if I have not done it properly, then all these transgressions, violations, excesses, or misconducts are false and void for me."
**Meaning:** I do Pratikramana for Svadhyaya and Pratilekhana. If, due to carelessness, I have not done Svadhyaya in the four periods of the day and night, the first and last periods, or if I have not done Pratilekhana of clothes, utensils, etc. in the morning and evening, or if I have not done it properly, or if I have not done the cleaning, or if I have not done it properly, then all these transgressions, violations, excesses, or misconducts are false and void for me.
**Discussion:** (Q) "Venerable Sir, what does Pratilekhana of time generate in a being?" (A) "Pratilekhana of time destroys the karma that obscures knowledge. It leads to the attainment of knowledge."
- Uttaraadhyayanasutra, Chapter 29. The above sutra is about Pratilekhana of time. The Agamas state that one should do regular Svadhyaya in the early and late parts of the day, and similarly in the early and late parts of the night, i.e., in all four periods of day and night. It is also necessary to do Pratilekhana of clothes, utensils, cleaning, etc. If, due to carelessness, one makes a mistake in these two essential duties, there is a provision for doing Pratikramana to purify oneself.
Time plays a crucial role in the creation, sustenance, destruction, separation of the united, and union of the separated. Therefore, it is essential to keep track of time to illuminate every aspect of life's progress. One should perform the actions that are appropriate for the time. Therefore, in the Uttaraadhyayanasutra, the scholar has set a timetable for the Sadhus. It has also been specified that "each action should be done at the appointed time." The first and last periods of the day and night are designated for Svadhyaya. Thus, there are four periods of Svadhyaya in a day and night.