________________
Exposition of Pratikramana Stotras
C. Pratiharana: To be vigilant to protect the right conduct. D. Varana: To keep control over the senses. E. Nivrutti: To retreat within F. 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 to ward off future faults. It is a gradual process of renunciation. The fulfillment of 5 major vows and lesser vows, practice of spiritual vows of self discipline (guna vrata) and self mortification (shikshä vrata) all fall within the scope of pratyakhyana. It helps in cleansing 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 the käyotsarga is required to keep his mind, body and speech under perfect restraint. From time point of view it is concerned with the present. It helps in cleansing and enhancing the inner strength (viryächära).
“Atitam padikkamämi, paduppannam samvaremi, anägayam pachchkkhämi." I step out of past (pratikramana), I practice selfrestraint with regard to the present (käyotsarga); I practice abstinence with regards to future (pratyäkhyäna).
The purpose of performing the pratikramana is to eradicate the effects of past misdeeds, while the purpose of practicing pratyakhyana is to stop possibility of committing sins in future and the purpose of atoning by käyotsarga is to cleanse the sins of present time. All these six essential duties should be carefully studied and systematically practiced with the intention of clearing the path of progress of an aspirant towards the attainment of emancipation.