Paryushan Parva - Jainism, Jain Religion - colleges

Pratikraman in English with Meaning
Going Back to the Path of Purification
SECTION I - BACKGROUND
Paryushan Parva
The word “Parva” means auspicious day. There are three types of auspicious days - 1. Ordinary
(Sämänya) like every third day -beej (2nd), päncham (5th), etc., 2. Incidental (Naimitik) like
Mahävir Jayanti (Birthday) and 3. Natural (Naisargik) like Paryushan. The word “Paryushan” has
several different meanings: 1. Pari + ushan = all kinds + to burn = to burn (shed) our all types of
karmäs 4 . To shed our karmäs, we do twelve different types of austerities including fasting. 2.
Another meaning of “ushan” is to stay closer. To stay closer to our own soul from all directions and
to stay absorbed in our own-self (soul), we do Svädhyäya 5 (self-study), meditation, austerities, etc.,
and 3. Pari + upshamanä = upshamanä means to suppress, to suppress our passions (kashäyas -
anger, ego, deceit and greed) from all directions.
Therefore, the real purpose of the Paryushan is to purify our soul by staying closer to our own soul,
to look at our own faults, to ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we have committed, and take vows
to minimize our faults. We try to forget about the needs of our body (like food) and our business so
that we can concentrate on our-self.
To ask for forgiveness is the toughest thing to do. Therefore, our great Ächäryas 6 have said:
“Kshamä Viram Bhushanam, Kshamäväni Michchhä Mi Dukkadam” - To ask for forgiveness is a
great quality of the brave ones and if I have committed any mistake, knowingly or unknowingly, I
ask for your forgiveness.
There are several great aphorisms (Sutras) to ask for forgiveness with the unity of the body, speech
and mind, and one of them is as follows:
Khämemi Savve Jivä, Savve Jivä Khamantu Mi
Mitti Me Savva bhuesu, Veram majjham na Kenai.
Meaning: I forgive all the living beings of the universe, and may all the living-beings forgive me for
4 Karman particles (non-living, very subtle substance) are attracted to the soul because of false belief (Mithyättva),
vowlessness (non-abstinence) (Avirati), negligence (Pramäda), passions (Kashäya) and Activities (Yogäs). These
Karman particles that are attached to the soul are called karma. Karma is the hindrance (obstacle) that does not allow us
to realize the true qualities of ätmä
5 Svädhyäya is one of the six internal tapas and one of the six daily activities of the householder. Svädhyäya is consisted
of five elements. (i) vächanä- reading of the Jain canonical books; (ii) pruchhanä- asking the guru questions about
them; (iii) parivartanä- repetition of what was learned previously so one does not forget; (iv) anuprekshä- deep
contemplation of what was learned (with the meaning); (v) dharma-kathä- inspiring others about Jainism and listening
to the exposition of religious parables. Great Ächärya Amitgati says, one cannot get rid off the darkness of his/her
ignorance without the brightness of svädhyäya. Another great Ächärya Vamadeva says, svädhyäya is one of the four
anuyogas propounded by the Jina. Ächärya Asadhara recommends the construction of svädhyäya-shäläs (schools)
where there is no frequent visits by Jain monks and scholars.
6 The message of Jina, Lord Mahdvira the last Tirthankara, is carried by Ächäryas, our spiritual leaders. They have 36
attributes, (see the meaning of Panchindiya Sutra, Lesson 2 of Sämäyik). The responsibility of the spiritual welfare of
the entire Jain Sangh (community) rests on the shoulders of Ächäryas. Before reaching this state, one has to do an indepth
study and have a thorough mastery of the Jain Ägams. In addition to acquiring a high level of spiritual excellence,
they also have the ability to lead the monastic communion. They should also know the various languages of the country
and have acquired a sound knowledge of other philosophies, ideologies, and religions of the region and the world.
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