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PRABUDDH JEEVAN
FEBRUARY 2017
JAIN RITUALS AND FESTIVALS ENLIGHTEN YOURSELF BY SELF STUDY OF JAINOLOGY
LESSON - FIFTEEN (CONTINUED]
O Dr. Kamini Gogri
Festivals
Generally, festivals are celebrations and jubilations characterized by excitement, enthusiasm, enjoyments and entertainments; but the Jain festivals are characterized by renunciation, austerities, study of the scriptures, repetition of holy hymns, meditation, and expressing devotion for the Paramatma. Even those people who are caught in the meshes of mundane life, according to their ability and conveniences, get free from the worldly entanglements to the extent possible and become immersed in worship and meditation. Renunciation and austerity constitute the very foundation of the Jain Dharma. Paryushan Mahaparva
The Paryushan is the most important festival among the Jain festivals; and it is observed during every
Every Chaturmas commencing on the twelfth day of the fortnight of the waning moon, in Bhadrapad and ending on the fourth day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Bhadrapad. During these eight days, the entire Jain Society becomes spellbound in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and felicity. All Jains, the young and the old perform Atthai Tap - fasting for eight days at a time. Some men and women, and even children take the vow of Paushadh Vrat also for eight days. During these days, the spiritual preceptors read out and explain in detail the Kalpasutra, the most sacred scripture of the Jains. All the members of the congregation listen to that explanation, overwhelmed with the emotion of devotion. Seven days are days of attainment and the eighth day is one of fulfillment or achievement. In this manner, the Samvatsari Mahaparva the annual festival is celebrated. Listening to the holy voice of the spiritual preceptors when they explain the 1250 fundamental Sutras; performing the Samvatsarik Pratikraman, (the annual atonement) for seeking the forgiveness of those people whom one hates or against whom one nurses a grudge; forgetting all hatred and spite-these, constitute the Samvatsarik Aradhana - the annual atonement. Navpad Oli
This has been described under the section, dealing
with austerities. During the days of this festival, every day, worship is offered to the Navpad; and a dramatic performance of the story of Shripal and Mayana is carried out. The birthday of Mahavir
the birthday of Shraman Bhagwan, the last Tirthankar. is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the fortnight of the waxing moon, in the month of Chaitra. On this occasion, a grand chariot procession, community worship, glorification of the Lord, discussions, discourses, seminars and devotional and spiritual activities are organized. On this day, a magnificent celebration takes place at Kshatriya Kund in Bihar because Bhagwan Mahavir was born there. Diwali
Diwali is celebrated on the new-moon day of Kartik. On the night of that day, Mahavirswami attained Nirvan or deliverance and attained to a state of absolute bliss. The Lord discarded the body and the bondage of all Karmas on that night, at Pavapuri and attained Mukti or deliverance. Chaturdasi (the fourteenth day of the bleak fortnight of Kartik), the full-moon day and the new year (the first day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in Kartik) - These three days are celebrated with Paushadh, fasting, special repetition of holy hymns, and meditation. People should fast on the Chaturdasi (14th day) and the new-moon day and listen to the Uttaradhyayan Sutra which contains the final message of Lord Mahavir. The whole of the night of Diwali should be spent in the recitation of holy hymns and in meditation on Shraman Bhagwan Mahavir. In the early morning of the first day of the new year, Ganadhar Gautam Swami, the first disciple of Lord Mahavir attained absolute enlightenment. The Jains begin the new year with a glorification of Lord Gautam Swami; and listen with devotion to the nine Stotras holy hymns and with listening to the auspicious Rasa (epical poem) of Gautam Swami from their Guru Maharaj. Bhai Beej
The festival day for brothers.
