Paryushan Parva
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A backgrounder
The Times of India, Sep 18 2015
Dhanpal Solanki Jain The liberating aspect of Paryushan Parva
Paryushan Parva, the annual Jain observance, is the time to get uplifted through fasting, meditation, soul-searching, awakening, self-study, courage, compassion and forgiveness for all beings. For both Shvetambar Jains, who observe the ritual over eight days, and Digambar Jains, for whom the festival lasts 10 days, this is a time for introspection, reflection and purification, popularly known as Chaturmas or Varsha Yog.
Chaturmas literally means `four months', derived from the Sanskrit `chatur', four and `masa', month. Chaturmas mean four months of the monsoon, and during this time both Digambar and Shvetambar Jain monks and nuns make themselves available to the community for instruction and guidance.
Paryushan is the time when, to improve karmas, adherents perform 12 kinds of austerities, including fasting. They also do svadhyaya or self-study. The purpose of Paryushan is to stay close to your soul, reflect on your shortcomings, seek forgiveness for wrongdoings, remove internal corruption and vow to live an ethical way of life. Daily meditation and prayer help one to look within and reflect on the teachings of the tirthankaras for guidance.
On the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life and liberation. It also recounts the lives of other tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan.
Jainism is the Sramana tradition of India. Mahavira led a socio-spiritual, non-violent movement. He rejected superstitious practices, blind faith, caste system, gender bias, Sati and animal sacrifice. He encouraged equity and scientific temper. He did not preach, but practised his philosophy. He regarded all species of flora and fauna as integral to a composite moral community. He emphasised the concept of aparigraha or non-possessiveness.
The fivefold mantra that is recited offers obeisance not to God or Creator, but to arihants or perfected beings, siddhas or liberated souls, acharyas or masters, upadhyayas or teachers, sadhus or renunciates. With mantra-chanting, seekers find liberation through their own efforts, and not by waiting for divine intervention. Jainism lays great emphasis on rational, scientific, compassionate, courageous and ethical way of life based on comp lete equanimity and tranquillity.
The first tirthankara Rishabh Dev, gave us six concepts Asi: self-defence, civil defence; Masi: art, culture, literature and education; Krishi: agrarian lifestyle; Vidya: schooling, knowledge and training; Vanijya: trade and commerce, enterprise; and Shilpkala: architecture, handicrafts and skill development.
During Paryushan Parva vegetarian meals are made simpler than usual. For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman or annual confession, when it is time for confession and seeking forgiveness as well as being forgiving, enabling Self-liberation. The ritual of seeking forgiveness from the teacher is widened in scope to include family, friends and all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also forgiving everyone including oneself.
This ritual is also called the rite of universal friendship. Those who do manage to fast, speak in glowing terms of the wonderful effects of penance that purifies the soul. The greater the will, the greater would be the flow of energy, they say. Tirthankara Rishabhdev is said to have performed penance for one year at a stretch. During the process of penance, toxins accumulated in body cells get expelled. The body is recharged, energised and relaxed. And there is mental and physical wellbeing.
Significance
Dhanpal Solanki Jain, August 22, 2020: The Times of India
Paryushan Parva, the annual Jain observance, is the most appropriate time to get uplifted through fasting, meditation, soul-search, awakening, self-study, courage, compassion and forgiveness for all beings. For both Shvetambar Jains, who observe the ritual over eight days, and Digambar Jains, for whom the festival lasts ten days, this is a time for introspection, reflection and purification and this season is popularly known as Chaturmas. It is also called Varsha Yog.
Chaturmas literally means ‘four months’ in Sanskrit, during the monsoon when Jain monks and nuns stay in one place and are available to the community for instruction and guidance.
Paryushan is when, to improve karmas, adherents perform 12 kinds of austerities, including fasting. They also do svadhyaya or self-study. The purpose of Paryushan is to stay close to your soul, reflect on your shortcomings, seek forgiveness for wrongdoings, remove internal corruption and vow to live an ethical way of life. Daily recital of Bhaktamar Stotra, Navakar Mantra, meditation and prayer helps one look within and reflect on the teachings of the tirthankaras for guidance.
On the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavira, the 24th tirthankar, the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life and liberation. It also recounts the lives of other tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan.
Jainism is the Sramana tradition of India. Mahavira led a socio-spiritual, non-violent reform movement. He rejected superstitious practices, blind faith, caste system, gender bias, sati and discouraged animal sacrifice. He encouraged ahimsa, compassion and scientific temper. He did not preach, but practised his philosophy. He promoted a radical economic, political and social justice movement based on complete equity.
He regarded all species of flora and fauna as integral to a composite moral community. He emphasised the concept of jivdaya or animal care and aparigraha or non-possessiveness to protect biodiversity from human greed and butchery. The fivefold Navkar Mantra that is recited offers obeisance not to God, but to arihants, perfected beings; siddhas, liberated souls; acharyas, masters; upadhyayas, teachers; and sadhus, renunciates. Jainism promotes rational, scientific, compassionate, courageous and ethical way of life based on complete equanimity and tranquillity.
The first tirthankar Rishabhdev talked of six main professions for livelihood: 1. Asi: swordsmanship for self-defence, wrestling; 2. Masi: art, culture, writing skills, literature and education; 3. Krishi: agriculture, agrarian lifestyle; 4. Vidya: schooling, knowledge and training; 5. Vanijya: trade and commerce, enterprise; and 6. Shilp-kala: architecture, handicrafts and skill development. Rishabhdev advocated women’s education and their liberation.
Bahubali, the elder son of Rishabdev said, “Do seva without discrimination” because all of us are experiencing dukhdard, pain, agony and suffering. Without paro-upkar, selfless service, bhakti and puja remain incomplete. Bahubali promoted rural sports like wrestling and Hatha Yoga, to stay healthy, fit and active.
During Paryushan Parva vegetarian meals are made simpler than usual. For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman, the annual confession, when it is time for confession and seeking forgiveness as well as being forgiving, enabling self-liberation. The ritual of seeking forgiveness from the teacher is widened in scope to include family, friends and all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also forgiving everyone including oneself.
A
By JK Jain, Sep 2, 2022: The Times of India
Every year in Bhadon, that is in the month of September/October as per the English calendar, Paryushan, also known as Dashlakshan Parva, the most auspicious Jain festival, arrives – to awaken us from our deep slumber, to take us from the darkness of ignorance to the path of divine light – the Truth.
Dashlakshan doesn’t mean that there are ten dharmas. In fact, dharma is one and whosoever adopts it in true sense, the dashlakshan, ten signs, start reflecting in his activities.
We have four main enemies, that is four kashayas, passions: krodh, anger; maan, ego/ false pride; maya, deceit; and lobh, greed. The soul gets coloured by these passions and wanders through 84 lakh yonis – birth and death cycles of 84 lakh species.
Once we overcome anger and start treating all living beings as friends and feel that nobody can put us to any harm, we get enveloped by Uttam Kshama – forgiveness of the highest order. Similarly, once we realise that in our past lives we may have been born as small insects many times and even as a human being in a poor family, or with some physical disability, it is due to our past deeds that we have taken birth now in this pious Bharat Bhumi and that whatever we have today will not last forever, then feelings of arrogance and false pride vanish, and we are endowed with Uttam Mardava – supreme humility.
When we decide not to deceive others for our personal gains, we are rewarded with Uttam Arjava – straightforwardness; and after getting rid of greed, the soul is blessed with Uttam Shauch – supreme purity.
Once we attain these virtues, Uttam Satya, supreme truth, appears in our lives and we start practising sanyam – restraint at every step. Without sanyam, our life is like a car without brakes, which is destined to meet with an accident, sooner or later. Thereafter, we move towards tapa, penance, because even gold has to pass through fire several times to attain purity. Uttam Tapa is instrumental in removing the dirt of sins from our souls. And once we realise that we cannot carry even a penny with us, we renounce all possessions, home, money, family, even clothes and start roaming like a sky-clad Jain sage, this stage is Uttam Tyag – supreme renunciation.
Gradually, there comes a stage when the atman feels, ‘who am I to renounce anything when nothing belongs to me.’ This facet of dharma is called Uttam Akinchanya. And finally, for such a pious and pure soul nothing is left for indulgence and it adopts Uttam Brahmacharya – supreme celibacy. Brahmacharya dharma is not to be restricted to abstinence from sexual activities only. In broader terms, it means that all sensual pleasures pertaining to the five senses no longer have any meaning for the atman and it loves to remain engrossed in the Brahmn.
Paryushan Parva is a golden opportunity for us to take a cue from the teachings of the guru and introspect on our deeds, thoughts and speech and move forward to free ourselves from the karmic bondage by adopting these ten facets of dharma.
B
Dhanpal Solanki Jain, Sep 2, 2019: The Times of India
Paryushan Parva, the annual Jain observance, promotes self-purification through fasting, meditation, soul-searching, awakening, self-study, courage, compassion and forgiveness for all beings. For both Shvetambar Jains, who observe the ritual over eight days, and Digambar Jains, for whom the festival lasts 10 days, this is a time for introspection, reflection and purification popularly known as Chaturmas or Varsha Yog.
Chaturmas in Sanskrit means four months, and is observed during the monsoon, when Jain monks and nuns, make themselves available in one place to the community for instruction and guidance, as in the rainy season it is difficult to travel.
Paryushan is the time when, to improve karmas, adherents perform 12 kinds of austerities, including fasting. The purpose of Paryushan is to stay close to your soul, reflect on your shortcomings, seek forgiveness for wrongdoings, remove internal corruption and vow to live an ethical way of life. Daily recital of Bhaktamar Stotra, Navakar Mantra, and practise of meditation and prayer helps one to look within and reflect on the teachings of the tirthankaras for guidance.
On the fourth day of Paryushan, Murtipujak Shvetambars read from the Kalpa Sutra, recounting the life of Mahavira, the 24th tirthankar – the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life and liberation. It also recounts the lives of other tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan.
Jainism is the Sramana tradition of India. Mahavira led a socio-spiritual, non-violent reform movement. He rejected superstitious practices, blind faith, caste system, gender bias, sati, shradha, bali pratha and discouraged animal sacrifice. He encouraged ahimsa, compassion and scientific temper. He regarded all species as integral to a composite moral community. He emphasised the concept of Jivdaya, animal care and Aparigraha, non-possessiveness to protect biodiversity from human greed and butchery. The fivefold Navkar Mantra offers obeisance to Arihants, perfected beings; Siddhas, liberated souls; Acharyas, masters; Upadhyayas, teachers; and Sadhus, renunciates. Seekers find liberation through their own efforts, and not by waiting for divine intervention.
Bahubali, the elder son of Rishabdev, the first tirthankara, said “Do seva without discrimination” because all of us experience suffering. Without paroupkar, selfless service, bhakti and puja remain incomplete. Bahubali promoted rural sports activities to keep oneself holistically healthy, fit and active.
During Paryushan Parva vegetarian meals are made simpler than usual. For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman or annual confession, when it is time for seeking forgiveness as well as being forgiving, enabling self-liberation. The ritual of seeking forgiveness from the teacher is widened in scope to include family, friends and all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also forgiving everyone including oneself.
This ritual of forgiveness is sometimes called the rite of universal friendship. Those who do manage to fast, speak in glowing terms of the wonderful effects of penance that purifies the soul. The greater the will, the greater would be the flow of energy, they say. Tirthankar Rishabhdev is said to have performed penance for one year at a stretch. During the process of penance, toxins accumulated in body cells get expelled. The body is recharged, energised and relaxed. And thus there is intellectual, corporeal and spiritual awakening.
C
Acharya Lokeshmuni, Sep 3, 2019: The Times of India
Paryushan Parva is an annual festival of repentance and forgiveness for self-purification, to remove accumulated karma of the previous year and develop control over new accumulating karma, by following Jain austerities and other rituals. During Paryushan, Jains practise penances, vows, fasts, scriptural studies and Pratikarman, to have the mind and body focus more on inner qualities and virtues of the soul and cleanse the body.
Followers are free to practise according to their ability and desires. The five fundamental ethics emphasised are ahimsa, non-violence; satya, truth; asteya, non-stealing; brahmacharya, chastity; and aparigraha, non-possession. The main aim of Paryushan is to purify the soul and achieve self-uplift.
Fasting is an important part of Paryushan as it helps in purifying mind and body and helps one to reflect and introspect. Jains believe that Ratnatray, the three jewels of Jainism, namely, right knowledge, right faith and right conduct, are important facets of their faith. To achieve these, they are encouraged to be non-violent, truthful, non-stealing, and celibate and renounce all attachments. Fasting during Paryushan is a chance to eliminate bad karma. It helps one develop discipline, self-control and patience. Forgiveness and repentance are important aspects of Paryushan. Each day of the Paryushan festival focuses on eliminating various impurities like anger, pride, deceit, greed and in building good virtues.
All Jains perform Atthai Tap – fasting for eight days at a time. During these days, spiritual preceptors read out and explain the Kalpasutra, the most sacred scripture of the Jains.
The eight-day festival inspires Jains worldwide to remember the roots and philosophies of Jainism. Celebrating Paryushan also brings social purpose. Each of the eight days has its own specific dedication. The first day followers focus on clearing their minds of daily worldly thoughts. The second inspires people to donate to places of worship or to causes. The third day focuses on connecting mind to soul by practising meditation for enlightenment.
On the fourth day, Jains believe they receive well wishes and protection from Goddess Lakshmi. The fifth day is also known as ‘The Day of the Kalpasutra’ when people celebrate the Tirthankara Mahavir’s birth. The sixth and seventh days are days of tolerance and endurance.
The eighth and final day is titled, Samvatsari which translates to the ‘Gateway of Salvation’. It is the holiest day of the entire Jain calendar and also International Forgiveness Day. On this day Jains utter the words ‘Micchami Dukkadam’. On Samvatsari, Shwetamber Jains also practice Pratikarman in the evening. They honour the tirthankaras and their gurus. ‘Micchami’ means to be fruitless (forgiven) and ‘Dukkadam’ means bad deeds. So, the concept behind saying to someone Micchami Dukkadam is that if I have done any harm to you then those bad deeds may please be forgiven.
In short, one can avoid influx of bad karma and stay in peace while living in worldly life by developing a friendship towards all living beings, admiring their success, holding their hands when they are in distress.
Paryushan is a platform that allows us to do all these aspects and make the world more peaceful. So, until it becomes the natural way of life to observe the above bhavanas, one should contemplate Paryushan-related practices. If there is a goal, then there will be achievement. By celebrating Paryushan, one can eventually get rid of negative qualities and cultivate positive qualities.
Acharya Lokeshmuni is founder and head of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati, Delhi
“Chaturmas“ or Varsha Yog
Dhanpal S Jain, Liberating Effect Of Jainism's Paryushan Parva, August 28, 2017: The Times of India
Paryushan Parva, the annual Jain observance, is the time to uplift oneself through fasting, meditation, soul-searching, awakening, self-study , courage, compassion and forgiveness for self and for all beings. For both Shvetambars, who observe the ritual over eight days, and Digambars, for whom the festival lasts 10 days, this is a time for introspection, reflection and purification popularly known as “Chaturmas“ or Varsha Yog.
Chaturmas literally means “four months“, the period of the monsoon, when Jain monks and nuns take a break from travelling (journeying barefoot is difficult during this time) and make themselves available to the community for instruction and guidance.
Paryushan is the time when, to improve karmas, adherents perform 12 kinds of austerities, including fasting. They also do svadhyaya or self-study . The purpose of Paryushan is to stay close to your soul, reflect on your shortcomings, seek forgive ness for wrongdoings, remove internal corruption and resolve to live an ethical way of life. Daily recital of scriptural verse and prayers, helps one to look within and reflect on the teachings of tirthankaras.One should daily perform practices that lead one to emancipation and liberation.
On the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavira, the 24th tirthankar the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life and liberation. It also recounts the lives of other tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan.
Mahavira led a socio-spiritual, non-violent reform movement. He rejected superstitious practices, blind faith, caste system, gender bias, sati, bali pratha and discouraged animal sacrifice He encouraged ahimsa, compassion and scientific temper. He practised his philosophy . He promoted a radical economic, political and social justice movement based on complete equity .
He regarded all species of flora and fauna as integral to a composite moral community . He emphasised the concept of Jivdaya or animal care and aparigraha or non-possessiveness to protect biodiversity from human greed and butchery . The fivefold Navkar Mantra that is recited offers obeisance not to God or Creator, but to Arihants or perfected beings; siddhas, liberated souls; acharyas, masters; upadhyayas, teachers; and sadhus, renunciates. With mantra-chanting, seekers find liberation through their own efforts, and not by waiting for divine intervention.
Jainism lays great emphasis on rational, scientific, compassionate, courageous and ethical way of life based on complete equanimity and tranquillity .
The first tirthankar, Rishabhdev, gave us six concepts: Asi: self-defence, civil defence; Masi: art, culture, literature and education; Krishi: the agrarian lifestyle; Vidya: schooling, knowledge and training; Vanijya: trade and commerce, enterprise; and Shilp-kala: architecture, handicrafts and skill development.
For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman or annual confession, when it is time for confession and seeking forgiveness as well as being forgiving, enabling self-liberation. The ritual of seeking forgiveness from the teacher is widened in scope to include family , friends and all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also forgiving everyone including oneself.
This ritual of forgiveness is sometimes called the rite of universal friendship. Tirthankar Rishabhdev is said to have performed penance for one year at a stretch. During the process of penance, toxins accumulated in body cells get expelled. The body is recharged, energised and relaxed. And there is intellectual, corporeal and spiritual awakening.
Dashlakshan Parva/ Kshamavani
Acharya Gyan Sagar, Why Forgiveness Is Such A Great Virtue, Sep 17 2016 : The Times of India
Jainism, among the oldest living religions of the world, has a rich tradition of festivals. Paryushan Parva popularly known as Dashlakshan Parva is the festival of ten virtues. It starts with kshama, forgiveness and at its conclusion Kshamavani, the Day of Forgiveness, is celebrated, when people forgive each other. The following is a popular prayer on the occasion: “I forgive all living beings, May all living beings forgive me, My friendship is with all living being, I have no animosity towards any living being.
May all my faults be dissolved.“
Forgiveness is quite different from saying sorry; it is the mental, emotional andor spiritual process of ceasing to feel resentment, indignation or anger against another person for a perceived offence, difference or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. The process of shedding our karmas really begins by asking for forgiveness with true feelings and to vow not to repeat mistakes.
Stanford project
New scientific research also proves that forgiveness is helpful in improving the quality of our life. Professor P M Agrawal writes, “The outcome of research carried out by scientists of Stanford University , US, is illustrative. The Stanford Forgiveness Project provides not only evidence of the benefits of avoiding anger but it also gives practical methods to cope with anger.“
In America people are buying tickets in advance to attend workshops on forgive ness organised by Stanford Forgiveness Project team members. Persons spend money to attend such workshops to learn to adopt forgiveness. Why do they spend money? Because they believe in the scientific research which shows that the forgiveness would improve their health, peace and prosperity . The popularity of such workshops reveals that adoption of forgiveness or the avoidance of intentional violence is not only a topic of religious scriptures but is importance in our practical life. The quality of the forgiveness requires humility and suppression of anger. Its importance has been proved by medical science too.
Forgiveness protocol
There is a rule to forgive and ask for forgiveness which must be followed: To ask for forgiveness from the person whom you have harmed, you first ur own ego, resentment and hatred towards that person prior to asking genuine forgiveness from him.
To grant forgiveness, you must first get over your own anger and ego and then only you will be able to genuinely forgive the person who harmed you.
In the present age of competition and physical development people have money and many physical instruments for living a luxurious life but they have lost all peace of mind. Through these virtues they can get more satisfaction and peace of mind. They can come out from mental depression if it exists and they can create opportunities for good fortune by doing good deeds and leaving all bad deeds.
In many cases luck plays a vital role in the development of our career or business and good luck can be achieved by forgiveness and by leading a simple and straightforward life, making a habit of deceit-free conduct and removal of greediness.
I hope you forgive all your enemies and friends today and will be able to start a new life. My good wishes are with all of you on Kshamavani Divas.
Kshama
Lord Rishabhdev’s ideas
JK Jain, Sep 21, 2021: The Times of India
Lord Rishabhdev, the first Jain tirthankar, gave us the mool mantra of living a peaceful and happy life. Rishabhdev preached that under the influence of krodh, anger; maan, ego; maya, deceit; and lobh, greed – the biggest enemies of the soul – we develop feelings of raag, attachment, and dvesh, aversion, and get bound to the karmic particles.
As a result, we can be reborn into one of the four gatis, destinies: human beings, celestial beings, tiryancha beings – animals and birds, and infernal beings – those living in hell, continuously suffering, and sometimes even as nigod, invisible micro-organisms. Rishabhdev prescribed that to enjoy inner bliss and to be free from karmic bondage, one should adopt kshama dharma – forgiveness.
Ever since, Jains all over the world celebrate Paryushan Parva, starting from the fifth day of the Bhadrapada Shukla, till Purnima, full moon day, every year. The festival denotes10 facets of dharma, qualities every soul possesses. They are kshama – forgiveness; maardav – humility; arjav – straightforwardness; shauch – cleanliness; satya – truth; sanyam – self-restraint; tapas – penance; tyag renunciation; akinchana – non-attachment; and brahmacharya – celibacy. While most of us no longer value these virtues, the Western world, taking a cue from the teachings of the preceptor, has started organising workshops on kshama dharma, achieving remarkable results. Most of the participants who attended these workshops have reported significant improvement in their blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels.
Kshama lies deep within our soul. We need not import it from outside, rather develop and practise this virtue to relieve ourselves from stress and tension. It works like a panacea to wash off all inner evils and cleanse our souls.
We find numerous references to kshama in our holy scriptures. Parsvanath, the 23rd of the 24 tirthankars, is an example of forgiveness of the highest order. His brother Kamath continuously tortured him and inflicted injuries, even causing death in 10 of his lifetimes. However, showing extreme restraint, Parsvanath remained tranquil and pardoned his tormentor every time. Ultimately, he attained Kaivalya, omniscience, and Kamath bowed down to him in reverence.
In the Mahabharat, Draupadi too forgave Ashwatthama who killed her sons, as she did not want his mother to meet the same fate, suffer the same agony and loss as she did.
It is not necessary that to forgive the person in question must come forward and seek kshama. Even without his asking, we can forgive him. After all it is us not the other person who has to be set free from the suffering resulting from anger. Similarly, to free ourselves from the sense of guilt and wrongdoings, we must discard our ego and seek forgiveness.
Today, the world seems to be sitting on a volcano ready to erupt. Even small countries are equipped with nuclear arsenal and any indiscriminate use of such weapons by anyone could ignite a full-fledged world war, resulting in mass destruction. Therefore, to save the world from such a catastrophe, avoid conflicts and controversies, enjoy inner bliss, and live peacefully, let us adopt kshama as a way of life.
Time for self purification
Dhanpal Solanki Jain, Sep 7, 2022: The Times of India
For both Shvetambar Jains, who observe Paryushan Parva over eight days, and Digambar Jains, for whom it lasts 10 days, this annual Jain observance is a time for introspection, reflection and purification. It is the most appropriate time for all to get uplifted through fasting, meditation, soul-search, awakening, self-study, courage and compassion and forgiveness for all beings. Paryushan Parva is observed during the Chaturmas, also called Varsha Yog. ‘Chaturmas’ literally means ‘four months’ in Sanskrit, during the monsoon when Jain monks and nuns stay in one place and are available to the community for instruction and guidance.
Paryushan is when, to improve karmas, adherents perform 12 kinds of austerities, including fasting. They also do swadhyay, self-study. The purpose of Paryushan is to stay close to your soul, reflect on your shortcomings, seek forgiveness for wrongdoings, remove internal corruption, and vow to live an ethical way of life. Daily recital of Bhaktamar Stotra, Navakar Mantra, meditation and prayer helps one look within and reflect on the teachings of the Jain tirthankars for guidance.
On the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavir, the lives of other tirthankars and the rules of Paryushan.
Jainism is the Sramana tradition of India. Mahavir led a socio-spiritual, non-violent reform movement. He rejected superstitious practices, blind faith, caste system, gender bias, sati and discouraged animal sacrifice. Heencouraged ahimsa, compassion and scientific temper. Furthermore, he did not preach, but practised his philosophy, and promoted a radical economic, political and social justice movement based on complete equity.
Mahavir regarded all species of flora and fauna as integral to a composite moral community. He emphasised the concept of jivdaya, animal care and aparigraha, nonpossessiveness, to protect biodiversity from human greed and butchery. The fivefold Navakar Mantra is recited to offer obeisance not to God but to Arihants, perfected beings; siddhas, liberated souls; acharyas, masters; upadhyayas, teachers; and sadhus, renunciates.
Rishabhdev, the first tirthankar, advocated women’s education and their liberation. Bahubali, the elder son ofRishabdev, said, “Do seva without discrimination” . Without paropkar, selfless service, bhakti and puja remain incomplete. Bahubali promoted sports like wrestling and Hath Yog, to stay healthy, fit and active.
For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman, time for confession and seeking forgiveness as well as being forgiving, enabling self-liberation. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also forgiving everyone including oneself.
The Jains seek forgiveness from everyone by saying ‘Micchami Dukkadam. ‘Micchami’ means ‘to seek forgiveness’ and ‘dukkadam’, dushkrut, means ‘bad deeds’. So, the meaning of Micchami Dukkadam is – if any of my thoughts, words and deeds have hurt you knowingly or unknowingly, I seek your forgiveness.
