The last day of Paryushan for Jain followers is Samvatsari. The most important festival for Jains is Paryushan 2021, which begins on the Twelfth day of Shravan Vad and ends on the Fourth day of the bright part of Bhadrapad month.
The eight days of Paryushan are thought to be the most auspicious of the year. Early in the morning, Jains do Pratikraman, followed by numerous poojas and prayers. Pratikraman is a Sanskrit word that means “turning back.” Samyika is a type of meditation in which one reflects on their spiritual journey and renews their faith.
What is the significance of Samvatsari 2021 | Importance of Samvatsari
Samvatsari is an important Jains’ holiday that marks the completion of the eight or ten-day Paryusana celebration, according to the Jain Calendar. Samvatsari, or Forgiveness Day, is the eighth day, and it is a day for forgiving others as well as seeking forgiveness from all animals of the planet whom they may have wronged knowingly or inadvertently by reciting the words Michhami Dukkadam.
In the case of the two sects of Jainism, the ‘Swetambaras’ and ‘Digambaras,’ the actual day of the festival may differ. To put it another way, the Swetambaras observe Samvatsari on the eighth day of Paryusana Parva, whilst the Digambaras observe it on the tenth day of Das Lakshan Parva.
Rituals
During Samvatsari, Jains must undertake six acts:
1- Maintain equanimity – Samayika
2- Honour the Tirthankaras – Chaturvimshati
3- Honour Jain sadhus and sadhvis – Vandana
4- Repent wrongdoing – Samvatsari Pratikraman
5- Meditate and Pray – Kayotsarga
6- Take vows to maintain self-control – Pratyakhyana
As a ritual, the Jains on this day go to meet relatives or make a point of catching up with them uttering Michchami Dukkadam. People who are out of town have also conveyed this message, and a vow made that whatever the grievance may be, they will not carry it forward to the next year.
Samvatsari and Kshamavaani
While Samvatsari and Kshamavaani are typically associated with Shwetambaras sect and Digambara respectively, there is no major difference between the two days and both are observed as Forgiveness Days. Rather, the two are usually used interchangeably.
Samvatsari is observed on Shukla Panchami of Bhadrapada month by the Shwetambaras; the Digambaras celebrate it on the first day of Ashvin Krishna month of the lunar-based Jain calendar.
Without further ado, let’s get cracking some commonly asked questions:
a) Why is forgiveness such an important ideal and a way of life in Jainism?
Forgiveness in Jainism displays many facets. To forgive is to move on. To forgive is to be free. To forgive is to focus on the self alone. Forgiveness brings us closer to Ahimsa.
b) Can the recitation of ‘Michami Dukkadam’ relieve or purify our sins? Why do Jains say Michchhami Dukkadam
Words have power when they are accompanied by feelings. The phrase ‘Michami Dukkadam’ cannot wipe away our sins. Sins can only be removed by the feeling of intense repentance. This is expressed by the utterance of ‘Michami Dukkadam’.
c) What is Michhami Dukkadam?
‘Michhami Dukkadam’ is chanted as a form of repentance whenever an act of violence, no matter how small, has been committed, advertently or inadvertently. This phrase is found in the Iryapathiki Sutra.
d) Why is Samvatsari celebrated?
Samvatsari is considered to be the holiest of all the Jain festivals. It can easily be summed up to be a festival of forgiveness. The day of Samvatsari also marks absolving the self from the heavy burden of sins and starting life afresh. “Michhami Dukkadam” is not just a traditional ritual, it is also the first step on the road to spiritual evolution.