Parushan Mahaparva

Jain Festivals

Paryushan Mahaparva & Samvatsari : What is ‘Paryushan’? The words ‘paryusarg’ is an essence of the three words of "Pariupsaarg’, ‘vasdhatu’ and ‘Anapratyey’. ‘Parisamantat samagrataya ushana vasana niwas’ literally translated means to get totally absorbed. To move away from the theory on to practice. In the historical guides this period culminates into only one major auspicious day but the significance of the seven days with elaborate preparations like stringrent adherence to religious doctrines and abstainence preceding the Paryushan cannot be overlooked. In order to outbeat the strong, one needs to summon up enough strength in the same way to overcome the invisible negative forces, one needs to involve himself totally in the religious practices to draw the energy to withstand these forces. Symbolically this festival can not only be called the festival of the ‘Jains’ but of the entire human race.

Samvatsari – The day that comes only once a year after much preparation is known as ‘Samvatsari’. This is the day that arrives after the religious period of ‘Samvotsar’. In fact this entire festival is called ‘Paryushan’. This period of ‘samvotsar’ comes 50 days after and 70 days before the close of the chaturmas period. Sometimes the ‘samvotsar’ may vary between 49 days after and 71 days before the close of the ‘chaturmas’ or the four month period.

Paryushan Daily Routine for 7 Days.

1.Rising early in the morning and hearing the holy word.
2.Contemplation of the holy words that were preached.
3.Half an hour of meditation or ‘Preksha Dhyana’
4.Limiting one’s diet to only certain elements or abstinence.
5.Abstinence from meals after sunset.
6.Abstinence from indulging in the gratification of the flesh.
7.Observing ‘Anuvrata’
8.Observing a minimum of five ‘samayikas’
9.Observing silence for an hour.
10.Prayers or meditation with the community or family.
11.Maintaining a feeling of selflessness.
12.Abstaining from all forms of entertainment.
13.Abstaining from consuming green vegetables or limiting ones diet to pulses.

Samatsavari is the Last day of this festival & it is the main Day. On this day, all Jains keep fasting. On the next day, they take breakfast which is called as Paarna.

Jains strongly believe in forgiving. On the Samatsvari day, at the time of pratikarman all persons plead this message within them, & to all other persons who are connected with them in past life in any manner. Jains plead there forgiveness message to all persons whom they know and doesnot matter which sector or cast they belong. The forgiving plead is not limited into present life but also includes all previous lives.

Granting Pardon or Forgiveness

The meaning of forgiveness is tolerance.
To believe that tolerance is one’s responsibility and to oppose the negative forces of animosity is forgiveness.
Tolerance is to overlook the source of the negative forces of anger.
Forgiveness is the weapon of the strong willed.

To be able to keep a check on one’s power of destruction is forgiveness. The one who does not know how to forgive is considered as lowly. The person who judges others and refuses to grant pardon is himself unpardonable. Strength lies with the one whose heart is full of benevolence. A person who can overlook the shortcomings, lapses and wrong-doings is a source of joy and peace. Great is the man who does not hesitate to ask for pardon for his own mistakes. The harbinger of peace is one who makes an attempt to alleviate the sufferings that have occurred due to his disregard.

I grant forgiveness to all living beings,
All living beings grant me forgiveness.
My friendship is with all living beings,
My enmity is totally nonexistent.
Khaamemi Savve Jeeva
Savve Jeeva Khamantu Me
Metti Me Savve Bhuyesu
Vairam Majham Na Kenai

Meaning : I forgive (from the bottom of my heart without any reservation) all living beings (who may have caused me any pain and suffering either in this life or previous lives), and I beg (again from the bottom of my heart without any reservation) for the forgiveness from all living beings (no matter how small or big to whom I may have caused pain and suffering in this life or previous lives, knowingly or unknowingly, mentally, verbally or physically, or if I have asked or encouraged someone else to carry out such activities). (Let all creatures know that) I have a friendship with everybody and I have no revenge (animosity or enmity) toward anybody.

-----------------------------------------------------

Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
R13111