Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 39

achieving Keval-jnan. The barrier was only broken after a period of grief over his masters Nirvana. He at last managed to achieve the highest degree of nonattachment, which enabled him; to at tain the stage of omniscience, the full enlightenment, in the early morning of the first day of the New Year, The Jains begin the New Year with a prayer of Guru Gautam Swami; & listen with devotion to
the nine
house & comforted him. This happened on the day after New Year's day. This day is observed as Bhai Beej. This festival is like Raksha Bandhan. On the day of Raksha Bandhan, the sister goes to the brother & ties the Raksha; but on this day, the sister invites her brother to her house to show her respect & love for him.
Knowledge JNAN PANCHAMI
(The holy day for worshipping knowledge)
O
ther
Stotras (Nav-smaran) & the auspicious Ras (epochal poem) of Gautam Swami. Some people fast for three days including New Year's day. The real wish should be "May the whole year be filled with realistic Dharma, intellectual serenity & equanimity".
nan Panchami is
the name given to the celebration that takes place on the fifth day of the first month of the Indian calendar year. This day is designated for the worship of pure knowledge. On this day, the scriptures, which impart knowledge to the people, are worshipped with religious devotion by offering Vasakshep (sandalwood powder), Swadhyay, meditation. Pratikraman & Deva vandan are also carried out on this day. Moreover, the books preserved in the religious libraries are cleaned & respect is paid to educational material, notebooks, pens, pencils etc. which are offered during Puja.
BHAI BIJA
(Festival day for brothers)
ing Nandivardhan, the brother
of Bhagawan Mahavir was in great sorrow due to the Nirvana of Mahavir. His sister Sudarshana took him to her