Jain Digest 2008 07

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 20

Paryushana and Das Laxana Parva
Jains around the world celebrate Paryushana and Das Laxana Parva every year. The span of the period is during August September, during which time there is heavy monsoon. The monks would like to stay one place to avoid hurting small insects during rainy season. They give Pravachanas to strengthen the belief propagate knowledge and help purify conduct of the listeners. Eight days of Paryushana starts on 12" day of Shukla Bhadrapad and ends on 4" day of Krishna phase of Bhadrapad (and some times on panchami of Bhadrapad when Chaturthi and Panchami combines)
During Paryushana Kalpa Sutra is read in the morning. Kalpa Sutra is one of the oldest scriptures describing the life of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami. It depicts the coming of in human life (Garbh), birth, and life of Bhagwaan. The scripture also tells about Lord Parshvanath, Neminath, Rishabnath, and all other Thirthanakars. The story of past life of Lord Mahaveer is read with great respect. In the evening Samayik and Pratikraman is done and monks/scholars give Pravachanas to the audience. Fasting is done as much as possible including children. Usually on Sunday Bhagwan's Janma Divas is celebrated with great vigor. Eighth day Samvatsari Pratikraman is done to ask forgiveness from all living beings in the universe. The Pratikraman has recitation of Navkaar Mantra (vanadan of Arihants, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Saints) and Logassa (Vanadan of 24 Tirthanakaras) done repeatedly. Navkaar Mantra is called Beej Mantra of all fourteen Purvas. It brings highest quality to a person because bowing down to highest level without any bias or name. Logassa, Navkaar recital, and repentance, also called Chaturvishtistva, Vanadan, and Pratikraman respectively are part of six necessary and required conduct of Jains. Recitation of 160 Navkaar Mantra or 40 Logassa is done by all, sitting in Samvatsari Pratikraman. Next day Parna is done by all who have been fasting. At the end of Paryushana everyone feels more purified due to fasting, keeping vows and listening to scriptures.
During Das Laxan Parva lasting for ten days starting on Bhadrapad Panchami (usually next day or same day of end of Paryushana), people do fasting, listening to Pravachanas each day for one Dharma, and do Samayik. It is said that on this Panchami the cycle of Ulsarpani starts ending the Avsarpani period which in the end persisted for 49 days of terrible disasters (in which everything is destroyed by wind, fire, rain, also called Pralay). On Dasvi it is called Dhoop Dasam; people go to temple and light up Dhoop. (incensc). Dhoop describes the burning of Karmas. Last day of Das Laxana ends on Chaturdarshi (called Anant Chaturdarshi) with fasting and Pratikraman. Ten Dharma are part of Samvar (stoppage of incoming Karma), and Nirjara (Annihilation of Karmas). We will use following sequence from Tattvartha Sutra leading to Das Laxana (Ten Dharma):
1. Samyaka Darshana Gyana Charitrani Moksha karma is Samvar and it is done through observance of three Marga: Right belief, right knowledge and right conduct Guptis, five Samitis, Ten Dharma, twelve Anuprekhsa, are the path of Moksha.
victory over twenty two Parishah, and five Charitra. 2. Tatvartha Shraddhanam Samyak Darshnam: Belief 7. Uttam Khsamamardava arjava shochsatya in Tattva is Samyak Darshana.
sayyam tap tyagak inchanb ramhcharyan hidharma: 3. Jlvajivasravbandhsamvarnirjaramokshasttvam:
Forgiveness, no proud, straightforward, contended, Jiva, Ajiva, Ashrava (incoming of Karma), Bandh
truthful, keeping control, austerity, giving up, limiting
truthtul, keeping con (Bondage of Karma), Samvar (stoppage of incoming
material world, and living with own soul with Samyak karma), Nirjara (annihilation of karma), and Moksha
Darshana is following of Ten Dharma. (libcration) are seven Tattvas.
8. Anshanav modryav ritiparisa khanra sparitya 4. Kaayavagmanakarma Yoga Sa Ashrva: Karma
gvivik tashyyasanka yklesha bahya Tapa. Prayashchita comes in due to activity of mind, speaking and doing
vinay vaaiyavritya swaddhya vyutsargadhyan things.
anyuttram: Fasting, eating less, keep limit, not eating
heavy food, spend time alone, and doing hard Asana are 5. Mithyadarshanaviratipramadkshayayoga
six outside Tapa (austerity) Feeling sorry for wrong things, Bandhahetavah:_Bondage occurs due to wrong belief,
respect, helping others, reading scripture, keep material not keeping vow.carelessness, emotions and yoga (activity limitation and meditation are Inner Tapa. Meditations of of mind, speaking, and doing).
two highest and positive qualities are called Dharma Dhyan 6. Asravanirodha Samvar, SaGuptisamiti dharman and Shukla Dhyan. uprekhaparishajaycharitreh: Stoppage of incoming
18/JAIN D GEST. Fall 2008
Jain Education Intemational