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WORSHIP, RITUAL, FASTS AND FESTIVALS
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the first word (Śrāvana, Bhādra, etc.) denoting the month, term Krşņa (kr.) denoting the first or dark fortnight, term śukla (śu.) the second or bright fortnight, and the following numerical the day of the fortnight: Śrāvana Kr. 1: The first day of the year, the yoga and the cycle in the eternal scheme of reckoning time, according to Jainism; - lord Mahāvīra, the last Tirtharkara, also happened to deliver his. first sermon on Mt. Vipula outside the city of Rājagpha (mod. Rajgir in Bihar), on this day, in the year 557 B.C., hence the day is also called Vira-śāsana-jayantī, and usually falls about the middle of July. Śrāvana Šu. 7: Also known as Mokşa-saptamī, is the day when Lord Pārsva, the penultimate Tirthankara, attained nirvana (liberation), at Mt. Pārasanātha (on the border of Bihar and Bengal), in 777 B.C. Śrāvana Šu. 15: Rakṣā-bandhana, celebrated in memory of the rescue and protection of seven hundred Nirgrantha ascetics by the saint Vişnukumāra from the persecution of Bālī, a tyrant.
The day symbolises protection of religion, religious institutions, holy men, and one's dependents, particularly sisters. Bhādra Kr. 1: Beginning of the Șodaśa-kārana-vrata, which lasts for a month, when the sixteen pious aspirations for doing good to all living beings are adored, worshipped and meditated upon every day; by so doing one can even become Tirthankara in a later birth.
Bhādra Kr. 12 to Su. 4: Paryusaņa-parva, lasting eight days, celebrated particularly by the followers of the Svetāmbara sect, and marked by fasting, worship of the Jina, and public reading of the life story of Lord Mahāvīra from Kalpa-sūtra.
Bhādra Šu. 1 to 3: Labdhi-vidhāna-vrata, a three days' worship and fast.
