Pratikraman: Freedom Through Apology & Repentance (Abr.) (In English) Pratikraman: Freedom Through Apology & Repentence | Page 24

Pratikraman
11
Dadashri: Pratikraman is to retrace one’s steps. To repent
for the anger and sins you have done, is pratikraman.
What is pratikraman? You can only call it pratikraman
when your faults decrease. How can it be called pratikraman if
your faults increase? God has said to do pratikraman in a
language that can be understood. Do pratikraman in your own
language; otherwise you will not reap any benefits from it. The
pratikraman rituals are being done in the Magdhi (ancient)
language. Now what good does it do for people who do not
even understand Gujarati to be doing pratikraman in Magdhi?
Even the sadhus and acharyas do not understand it themselves,
which explains why their own faults do not decrease. Such is
the state of things of today.
The Lord (Mahavir) has instructed that only the Navkar
Mantra be spoken in the Magdhi language and that too, with
complete understanding. Only the Navkar Mantra was worth
retaining in the Magdhi language because they are the Lord’s
words. You must first understand the true meaning of pratikraman
and realize that you are doing it, but for whom? It is either for
Chandubhai insulting you or you insulting someone else.
Pratikraman means to destroy inner enemies of anger,
false pride, greed, and illusionary conduct.
Nowadays, people only perform their pratikraman rituals
once a year. They wear new clothes and gather together for that
day. What sort of pratikraman do you call this? Is this some
sort of a wedding ceremony? Pratikraman means to be
remorseful. What is the relevance of wearing fancy clothes? Is
someone getting married? Not only this, but they do ‘rayshi’
(early morning pratikraman) and ‘devshi’ (late evening
pratikraman). How is it possible to recall each fault committed
throughout the day when they can’t even remember what they
ate for breakfast?