Page Text
________________
Kshamapana obstruct them. As new waters pour themselves into rivers, mud and mire are washed away. Similarly, as the spirit of nonviolence (ahimsa), non-absolutism (anekanta) and non-possession (aparigraha) rises from life at the time of Samvatsari Pratikramana, the waters of forgiveness rise up.
Some people stand on the shore. They get only shells and pebbles from the surface. They have no courage or desire to dive into deep waters. The austerities of all those who do not dive into the waters of penitence, of generosity, to be immersed and purified, bear no fruits.
They truly propitiate who forgive and ask forgiveness.
Today every home, every family is ablaze. Some minds are angry and some hearts are offended. Jealousies sting here and animosities burn there. Do we wish to keep the fire burning all through life or receive the healing balm of the waters of forgiveness ?
The decision is to be taken today. That is the only justification for celebrating the festival. Bhagwan Mahavira has told an ingenious story of a man who lost nine hundred and ninety-nine rupees for a cowrie : "Once upon a time a man went abroad to earn money. He worked hard and earned a thousand rupees. He set out on his return journey in good company. He put 999 rupees in a long, narrow purse and tied it round his waist and kept one rupee apart.
He changed the rupee for cowries. He decided to meet all expenses on the way home with these hundred cowries. After a long journey, he was now nearing home and his village was only a short distance away. He then sat down to take his meal. Through negligence, he dropped a cowrie there. He resumed
75
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 006587 |
| Book Title | Jainism The Cosmic Vision |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Kumarpal Desai |
| Publisher | UK Mahavir Foundation London |
| Publication Year | 2008 |
| Total Pages | 276 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 12 MB |