Paryushan Parva- A process of Inner Purification Paryushan Parva is the most awaited 8 - day festival of Jains for self-purification. It is a time for us to take a pause and introspect within. Every day, millions of thoughts cross our mind related to business, household affairs, educations, friends and relatives, etc. In this, process, we create a stock of thoughts, desires and emotions like anger, hatred, jealousy, greed, which build negative impressions on our mind. This in turn creates a negative aura around us. Paryushan means:: ● The opportunity to purify the soul. ● Obtaining self-realization ● Free our souls from vices like jealousy, attachment and hatred. ● Destroying anger, greed, passions, and lustful desires. ● Shedding our Karmas. Absolute purification of the SOUL (ATMA) is Parvadhiraj Paryushan. How do we cleanse this negativity? How much time do we spend in knowing the self and aligning with the truth? Paryushan Mahaparva is the festival which inspires us to introspect upon ourselves and eradicate the accumulated negativity from within. What is the science behind celebrating Paryushan during this period of eight days? Jainism expounds the ancient history of our existence - the Kaal Chakra (Time Cycle). Every chakra is divided into 2 parts - the Avsarpini Kaal (Descending time cycle with respect to prosperity and happiness) and the Utsarpini Kaal (Ascending time cycle). Currently we are in the 5th era of the Avsarpini Kaal. The beginning of the 6th era known as Dukham Dukham is predicted to be very unpleasant with immense sorrow and agony for every living being. The end of the 6th era is followed by the 1st era of the Utsarpini Kaal. The end of this 1st era would mark the beginning of a new dawn after a dark night; where the first shower of rain will moisten the parched earth. These showers continue for a period of 7 days at a stretch. The 49th day of these showers (cycle of 7 showers of rain of 7 days each) is the last day of Paryushan and is celebrated as Samvatsari (Kshamapana Divas) Hence, the days of Paryushan hold immense significance as they mark a beginning of new life. Parmatma Mahavir revealed that the vibrations and energies radiating in the entire Universe during these eight days are the purest and most positive by which seekers can easily advance in their spiritual endeavours. These vibrations support in transformation and purification of our thoughts. The positivity that engulfs the environment supports Aaradhaks (spiritual seekers) in observing penance and other spiritual austerities. Hence, the young as well as the old are inspired from within to advance in their spiritual practices. The last day of Paryushan is known as Samvatsari. Samvat refers to an era or phase, and Samvatsari marks the end of an era. Samvatsari is the auspicious opportunity which lets us release our past, our load. It is the festival of forgiveness, a day to forget our ego and rejoice in humility, a day to confess and repent for all our wrongdoings and ask for forgiveness. It is a day to forgive and be forgiven! It is a day to reflect upon our true nature, our mistakes and our soured relations and hence set things back on the right track. Samvatsari means the end of the Dukham Kaal (unhappiness) thus giving birth to a new beginning with awareness, a new light, a renewed life, novel thoughts, and self-purification leading us on the path of liberation. Forgiveness is not merely a tool to improve strained relations. It is a virtue by which we relieve ourselves of the baggage of our past negativity. Thus, Samvatsari is a day to unite with every soul and experience a divine Oneness with Parmatma! The purity and serenity which echoes in the environment during Paryushan inspires every soul to advance spiritually. Progress is possible only when we erase the shades of negativity of the past; thereby starting afresh with positivity and progressing with purity. Let a humble prayer resonate in your soul during Paryushan Parva: “Hey Parvadhiraj, Make my soul absolutely pure... By discarding vices like Anger, Selfishness, Stubbornness, Greed, Jealousy, Attachment, Ego... And Fill me up with virtues like Humility, Compassion, Selflessness and Forgiveness… Purify my soul and make me Experience Eternal Bliss! I sincerely ask forgiveness, for all my sins done knowingly or unknowingly Keep me steady and firm in my faith and devotion for You! O Parmatma! I ask you to reside in my heart, And awaken in me the RIGHT VISION and RIGHT KNOWLEDGE!” Only when such an elevated state of awareness is born within us, can we celebrate Paryushan Parva in its true spirit!
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 03:30:00 +0000
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