________________
Samvatsari Pratikramana
319
If it is not possible to accept the vow of Chauvihar 48 minutes prior to sunset, it should absolutely be accepted on a daily basis before sunset. Eating food after sunset is a gateway to hell. One should neither eat nor offer any food/drink after sunset. However with a view to encouraging novice followers and to enable even them to benefit to a certain extent, the vow of Tivihar is given. (It allows for an exception to drink water after sunset). However there isn't clarity as to frequency and the quantity of water that can be consumed post sunset. If one absolutely can't remain thirsty and the intensity of thirst is enough to make one very unsettled, then one is permitted to drink water, with a very heavy heart and as if it were a dose of medication i.e. instead of consuming glasses and jugs of water (drinking to heart's content), it is permissible to consume as little as possible, for the least number of times and as early as possible such that one feels some relief from the parched throat. As such there is no limit to the frequency and quantity of water allowed in the vows of the pacchakkhan.
A person desirous but incapable of accepting the vows of Tivihar (example: need to take medication at night for an incurable disease) can seek approval from Guru bhagwant to accept the vows of Duvihar, after explaining the reasons for inability to do Chauvihar/Tivihar and committing to not eat food post sunset. Even here, the expectation is that one will avoid eating anything as far as possible; however in dire circumstances one can take 'Swadim' (medicines and the like) and water.
The one eating dinner after sunset cannot accept the vows of Chauvihar/Tivihar or Duvihar. At best, they can get additional information from Guru bhagwant and possibly accept the vows of 'Dharna Abhigraha Pacchakkhan' (i.e. the vows to not eat
