Samayik And Chaityavandan Vidhi

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 23

(3) KHAMASAMAN SUTRA
This is a small Sutra that is uttered while kneeling at the feet of the Lords or to the Gurus.
Ichchhämi Khamäsamano Vandiun Jävanijjäe Nisihiäe Matthaen Vandämi
Meanings: Ichchhämi=I wish, Khamasamano-embodiment of forgiveness, Vandiun=to bow, Jävanijjäe=to the utmost extent, Nisihiäe= giving up, Matthaen=with forehead, Vandämi=I am bowing.
Translation: Embodiment of forgiveness, being desirous of bowing, I give up the worldly involvement to the utmost possible extent and kneel at your feet with my head down.
The most significant term of this Sutra is Khamäsaman, which is the Prakrit version of Kshamäshraman and denotes the embodiment of forgiveness. The Lords and Gurus are imbibed with many attributes, but by calling them Khamäsaman, this Sutra pinpoints forgiveness as their most important attribute. It would be recalled that of the four defiling instincts, anger is considered the foremost. Most of the worldly evils can be traced to the anger. That can be overcome by forgiveness. This Sutra therefore pinpoints that attribute.
Javanijjäe is another significant term of this Sutra. While bowing, one needs to avoid the defiling instincts. The worldly soul has, however, been living under defilement since the time immemorial. As such, it is not easy to overcome the same. This sutra recognizes that difficulty and asks the aspirant to give up the same to the utmost possible extent.
The importance of bowing to the Lords and the Guru has been explained at length while discussing Navkärmantra. Giving up the worldly involvement is implicit therein. This Sutra makes it explicit by using the term Nisihiäe. Moreover, this Sutra specifically lays down the kneeling. While doing it, both the arms up to the elbows, feet up to the knees and the forehead should touch the floor. Since these five limbs are involved in bowing, it is called Panchäng Pranipät and this Sutra is therefore known as Panchäng Pranipät Sutra.
Instead of this Sutra, the people belonging to Sthanakwäsi sect usually recite Tikhutto that conveys the same meaning.