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self through the practice of austerities. Among the festivals of the Jainas the well known one is the Paryusana. It is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada by both the sects. When the festival starts, the followers of Jainism spend their time mostly in worshipping Jaina-icons, hearing religious discourses and reading the religious books (Svadhyaya) and observe fasts and Pausadha. They do self-scrutiny everyday in the morning and evening by way of retrospection (Pratikramana). The Svetambaras observe the last day of Paryusana as the Samvatsari Parva and on that day they observe fast, attend the religious discourses, make self-criticism for any moral lapses, evil deeds and hostilities occurring during the year, and atonements are undertaken. On that day they ask forgiveness from all irrespective of friends or foes and declare -
Khamemi savve Jiva savve jiva khamantu me Mitti me savvabhuesu veram majjham na kenae.
(Āvaśyaka Sūtra, 4/32) I forgive all living beings and pray that they all should forgive me. I am friendly to all living beings and bear no ill-will to anybody.
During these festive days, the observance of nonviolence is also considered to be a primary duty. In ancient times many Jaina preceptors exercised their influence in getting these days marked out as non-violence days by the rulers. The tradition of non-violence day is still prevalent in many states and regions of India.
In the Digambarasect Paryusana is known as DasaLaksanaparva. They also observe it by doing Puja (worship of Jainaicons), studying religious books and undergoing the discipline of ten virtues, viz., forgiveness, modesty, straightforwardness, truth, celibacy etc. In addition to this main festival, Navapada-oli, Aştahnika-Parva, Aksaya Trtiya, Sodasa Karanabhavana, Gyanpañcami or Śrutapañcami, Pañca Kalyanak (the day of conception, birth, initiation, enlightenment
223 Jainism and its History
| SR No. | 032590 |
| Book Title | Jainism And Its History |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Sagarmal Jain |
| Publisher | Research Foundation for Jainology |
| Publication Year | 2018 |
| Total Pages | 328 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 34 MB |