Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 41

Day lov silence MAUN EKADASHI
(The holy day for observing silence)
VARSHITAP
(aun Ekadashi falls on the 11th
day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Margashish. This is an important day for Jains on which they observe total silence - Maun and carry out such austerities as Pausadh vrat, fasting, worshipping of gods, meditation etc. This is the day on which the great events relating to the 150 Jineswaras are celebrated by means of holy recitation. The story of Suvrat Shresthi is concerned with this day.
hose noble people who
perform the austerity of Varsitap complete the austerity on this day by taking sugar-cane juice in the cool shadow of Shatrunjay. Bhagwan Rishabdev performed the Parna (completion of an austerity) on this day after fasting for one year. On this day it is very auspicious for going on a pilgrimage to Shatrunjay. This falls on the 3rd day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakh.
PAUSH DASHAMI
his day is famous as the birth
day of Bhagwan Parshwanath. On the 10th day of Paush, hundreds and thousands of jain men and women perform the tapasaya of 3 Upvas-attham (continues fasting for 3 days) and by means of recitation and meditation, they try to attain spiritual welfare. A grand fair takes place in Sankheshwar which is a sacred place for Jains. Thousands of people gather here and perform the austerity of Attham.