Paryushan: The Festival of Introspection and Forgiveness

 


Paryushan Parv is the king of all festivals and hence known as Parvadhiraj. This festival has the highest power of doing auspicious to the worshipers. This festival takes the soul to the upper condition, also shows the path of salvation and also makes the sinful persons pious and virtues. The souls which are aware about the merits and sins can do their duties, but those people who are still passionate towards worldly pleasures become aware of new motivation. Hence Paryushan is celebrated.
Meaning:
Paryushan means, “abiding” or “coming together”. It is also a time when the laity take on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to the temporary monasticism. It concludes with a time of confession and forgiveness for the transgressions of the previous year.
Paryushan word has different meanings:
1. Pari + ushan = all kinds + to burn = to burn (shed) all types of karmas. We do twelve different types of austerities including fasting.
2. “Ushan” also means stay closer to our own soul, be absorbed in our own-self by doing meditation, austerity, self-study etc.
3. Pari + upashamana = upashamana means to suppress our passions (anger, ego, deceit and greed) from all directions.
Hence the real purpose of Paryushan is to purify our soul by staying closer to our own soul, to look at our own faults, to seek forgiveness for the mistakes we have done, and vow to minimize our faults.
Ritual:
Paryushan lasts for eighth days. Jain festivals are generally not meant for eating, drinking and to make merry but are celebrated by penance, Jap ( Mantra recitation), prayer, worship and friendship. The most important factor of this festival is daily meditation and prayers which provides an opportunity for looking within. From the fourth day it is customary to read Kalpa Sutra (scripture which recounts life of Mahavira the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, life and liberation after his birth). It also recounts the lives of other Tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan. The final day of Paryushan is known as Samvastsari Pratikraman, the annual confession. The ritual of asking forgiveness from all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness and granting forgiveness to all living beings. At times this ritual is called the rite of “universal friendship”. The spirit of the day is contained in this verse: “ I grant forgiveness to all living beings, My enmity is totally non-existent. Let there be harmony, peace and prosperity for all”.
To ask forgiveness is the toughest thing to do. Hence our Acharyas have said:
“Kshama Viram Bhushanamm, Kshamavani Michchha Mi Dukkadam”
There are several Sutras to ask forgiveness with the unity of the body, speech and mind:
Khamemi Savve Jiva, Savve Jiva Khamantu Mi
Mitti Me Savva Bhuesu, Veram Majjham Na Kenai.
Meaning of the above Sutra:
I forgive all the living beings of the universe and may all living beings forgive me for my faults. I do not have any enmity towards anyone and have friendship for all living beings. The process of shedding our karmas really begins by asking for forgiveness with true feelings and to vow never to repeat mistakes. Most important quality of forgiveness is vinay and suppression of anger.