Pachchakkhans

SR No.: 269173
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi
Total Pages: 11
Language: English
Classification: Article & 0_not_categorized
File Size: 120 KB

Page 10

Ägärs of. Pachchhankälenam, Disämohenam and Sähuvayanenam. The first pertains to the difficulty in judging time on account of cloudy weather etc. and the second pertains to the inaccuracy on account of delusion about direction. They have no significance at present, because clocks and watches, showing time to the accuracy of a second, are now available. The third one, Sähuvayanenam, is a significant addition, because it provides for the exception on account of the words of saints. It means that the vow can be relaxed under the instructions of the saintly people.
The English version of the entire text is:- 'You shall observe the vow (I take the vow) not to eat and to avoid taking eatables, refreshments and mouth/breath refreshers except on account of forgetfulness, or by sudden occurrence of intake, or for the sake of disposal or by the command of Sangha or Acharya, or for the sake of overall peace and equanimity and to abstain from taking water, while keeping the palm closed till you (1) terminate the restraint one Prahar/one and a half Prahar after sunrise; except through forgetfulness, or sudden occurrence of intake, or difficulty in judging the time, or delusion of the directions, or by the words of saints, or on account of the command of Sangha or Acharya, or for the sake of overall peace and equanimity; provided that water to be taken can be pure, or subject to the impact of sour materials, or be the supernatant buttermilk, or be the rice wash or the supernatant rice water with or without particles of rice.'
The second text of this Pachchakkhän, which pertains to fasting without taking water, is rather simple, as can be seen from the following.
"Uggae Soore, Abbhattattham Pachchakkhäi (Pachchakkhämi), Chauivvihampi Ähäram:Asanam, Pänam, Khaimam, Säimam; Annatthanäbhogenam, Sahasägärenam, *Päritthävaniyagärenam Mahattarägärenam, Savvasamähivattivägärenam; Vosirai (Vosirämi).
*This term should be omitted, if this Pachchakkhän happens to be taken in the evening.
The text of this Pachchakkhän does not have any new term. It means: 'You shall observe the vow (1 take the vow) not to eat and to avoid taking eatables, drinks, refreshments and mouth/breath refreshers after sunrise, except on account of forgetfulness, or by sudden occurrence of intake, or for the sake of disposal, or by command of the Sangha or Acharya, or for the sake of overall peace and equanimity.'
Since both these texts use the term Uggae Soore, it would mean that the fast would start from the day break. Actually, however, the fast starts from the previous night, preferably from the previous sunset.
PACHCHAKKHÄNS FOR EVENING:
These are meant to refrain from food and/or water from sunset to the next day break. If one has observed the austerity of Egäsan, Ayambil, fast etc. during the day, he needs to avoid food as well as water at night. He should therefore take the Pachchakkhän of Panhär which is given below.