Pratikramana Sankshipt

This text is a Gujarati book titled "Pratikraman Sankshipt" (A Concise Guide to Pratikraman), attributed to Dada Bhagwan, published by the Dada Bhagwan Foundation. The catalog link provided is for "Pratikraman Vidhi".

The core theme of the book is the Jain practice of Pratikraman, which is a process of self-reflection, confession, repentance, and making a firm resolution to avoid past mistakes. The teachings are presented in the style of Dada Bhagwan's discourses.

Here's a summary of the key concepts and teachings found within the provided pages:

1. The Essence of Pratikraman:

• Seeking Forgiveness and Repentance: The fundamental purpose of Pratikraman is to seek forgiveness for mistakes (doshas) made through mind, speech, and body. It involves sincere repentance (pashchattap), confession (alochana), and making a firm resolve (pratyakhyan) not to repeat those mistakes.
• Witness of the Self (Shuddhatma): Pratikraman is performed in the presence of the "Pure Self" (Shuddhatma), which is the true nature of the soul, referred to as "Dada Bhagwan" within. This is not the physical body but the divine self within.
• "Shoot on Sight" Pratikraman: The ideal is to perform Pratikraman immediately after an error (atikraman) occurs, rather than delaying it. This immediate repentance is crucial.
• Dada Bhagwan's Teaching of Akram: The book references Dada Bhagwan's "Akram Marg" (the effortless path), which is a shortcut to self-realization, contrasting with the step-by-step "Kram Marg." Pratikraman is presented as a tool within this Akram path.

2. Understanding Atikraman and Pratikraman:

• Atikraman: Refers to transgressions, wrongdoings, or actions that go against the natural order or righteous principles. This includes actions driven by anger, pride, deceit, greed (krodh-man-maya-lobh), and any act that causes harm or suffering to others.
• Pratikraman: Is the act of turning back from the wrong path, confessing the mistake, repenting, and resolving to correct oneself. It's a way to neutralize the negative consequences of atikraman.
• The Cause of the World: The book states that the world is created by atikraman, and it is destroyed by pratikraman.

3. The Process of Pratikraman:

• Alochana (Confession): Admitting the wrong deed to oneself or a spiritual guide without any excuse.
• Pratikraman (Repentance): Feeling remorse for the mistake and seeking forgiveness.
• Pratyakhyan (Resolution): Making a firm commitment not to repeat the mistake.
• Seeking Strength: Asking the Pure Self (Dada Bhagwan) for the strength to avoid making such mistakes in the future.

4. Who is Dada Bhagwan?

• The book explains that Dada Bhagwan is not the physical body but the awakened Pure Self residing within. This divine Self is the Lord of the fourteen realms and is present within everyone, though fully manifest in Dada Bhagwan.

5. The Importance and Efficacy of Pratikraman:

• Washing Away Karma: Sincere repentance and pratikraman are said to wash away karma.
• Preventing Future Mistakes: Pratikraman helps in breaking the chain of negative actions and preventing their recurrence.
• Spiritual Progress: It is presented as a direct path to spiritual advancement and ultimately liberation (moksha).
• Dealing with "Pratikar" (Retaliation) and "Pratikraman": When someone makes a mistake that causes harm, the response should be pratikraman (repentance and self-correction), not pratikar (retaliation or counter-attack).
• "Shoot on Sight" vs. Delayed Correction: While immediate pratikraman is ideal, even delayed repentance is beneficial. The core idea is to acknowledge and address mistakes.

6. Applying Pratikraman in Daily Life:

• Everyday Transgressions: The teachings emphasize applying Pratikraman to even minor mistakes in daily interactions, speech, and thoughts.
• Dealing with Family: It's highlighted that pratikraman should also be performed for interactions with family members, as these relationships often involve deep-seated karma.
• Habits and Addictions: Pratikraman is suggested as a means to overcome addictions and bad habits.
• Dealing with Negative Thoughts: Even if negative thoughts or judgments arise about others, pratikraman is recommended to purify oneself.

7. The "Akram" Approach to Pratikraman:

• The book emphasizes the "Akram" (effortless) way of doing Pratikraman as taught by Dada Bhagwan. This is not about strenuous effort but about a deep internal shift and seeking inner strength.
• The Role of the Gnani Purush (Enlightened Being): The presence and teachings of an enlightened being like Dada Bhagwan are crucial for understanding and practicing Pratikraman effectively.

8. "Pratikraman" as a Science:

• The text presents Pratikraman as a scientific process that, when practiced sincerely, yields immediate results. It's referred to as a "cash bank of divine solutions."

9. Nuances and Advanced Understanding:

• The book discusses the subtle differences between various levels of transgressions (sthool, sookshma, sookshmatam) and how Pratikraman addresses them.
• It also touches upon the idea that even when one is seeking to live righteously, sometimes mistakes happen due to past karmic impressions (praturti dosha). Pratikraman helps in purifying these.
• Dada Bhagwan's Example: The text often uses examples from Dada Bhagwan's own life and discourses to illustrate the principles. He even states that he performs pratikraman for his own pronouncements if they inadvertently cause discomfort to others.

In essence, "Pratikraman Sankshipt" provides a practical and profound guide to the Jain practice of Pratikraman, emphasizing sincerity, self-awareness, and the grace of the Pure Self (Shuddhatma) as taught by Dada Bhagwan. It's presented as a vital tool for spiritual purification and progress on the path to liberation.