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Kshamapana
words to others only, we do not offend the souls of others only, but we offend our own souls. We torment it by thoughts and words. We grow angry with ourselves. We should thus be aware of our offences not only to others, but also to overselves in order to be able to ask forgiveness, for it is necessary for a person to confess his sins. If a man has exploited a poor person, if he has been instrumental to someone's exploitation, if he has given or taken bribes, if he has pained someone with his possession or killed someone with violence, he should confess his misdoings with himself as a witness. That is why Acharya Bhadrabahu-swami says,
जं दुक्कडं ति मिच्छा, ते भुज्जो कारणं अपूरतो तिविहेण पडिहंतो, तस्स खलु दुक्कडं मिच्छा
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[The worshipper who performs pratikramana with thoughts, speech and body, who asks forgiveness for his offences and does not commit more sins has his sins made futile. When you become aware of sins, confess them frankly and take a vow not to commit the sins again, you approach forgiveness.]
'May my misdeeds be forgiven !' means that we should always take a firm vow to refrain from the mistake which we have once confessed, the fault for which we have practised penitence and the sin for which we have atoned.
In Avashyak Niryukti, Acharyashree clearly says, "Having ence asked forgiveness for an offence, if someone again commits the sin, he evidently tells lies and weaves the net of hypocrisy."
This is how forgiveness should be given and asked. Both these activities and their effects are different. Asking forgiveness is a bit easier than forgiving. While asking forgiveness, egotism is melted. Whether the other person forgives or not, he who asks forgiveness purifies his soul. But
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