Parvadhiraj Paryushan 01 - Book Summary

This document, "Parvadhiraj Paryushan - 1" by Ramanlal C Shah, is the first part of a series exploring the significant Jain festival of Paryushan.

Key themes and information presented:

The Nature of Festivals: The text begins by defining festivals as expressions of communal joy. Humans are inherently drawn to celebrations, creating them for various reasons like personal milestones, family events, national occasions, and religious figures or events. Religious festivals are noted as being more enduring than personal or social ones.
Paryushan: The Greatest Jain Festival: Paryushan is identified as the most important festival for Jains, often referred to by common people as "Pajusan" or "Poshhan." Its supreme status is reflected in its titles like "Parvashreshtha" (best of festivals), "Parvashiromani" (crest jewel of festivals), and "Parvadhiraj" (king of festivals).
Celebration Styles: The text differentiates between festivals celebrated with outward displays of joy (new clothes, feasts, gatherings, processions) and those marked by simple, internal spiritual practices like religious rituals, fasting, self-denial, austerity, charity, and compassion. The depth of a festival's significance is evident in people's activities during that time.
Etymology and Meaning of Paryushan: The word "Paryushan" is Sanskrit, derived from "pari" (all-around) and "ush" (to reside). It signifies "to reside in all ways" or "to live well in one place." The festival occurs during the monsoon season. For monks, the term likely refers to the entire Chaturmas period, during which they maintain a stationary residence and engage in religious devotion. In a more profound, symbolic sense, "Paryushan" means to reside close to the soul, focusing on spiritual activities.
Duration and Shvetambara Observance: The festival spans eight days, beginning at the end of the Shravan month and continuing into the Bhadrapada month. Among the Shvetambara Jains, it is also known as "Atthayi Mahotsav" (Festival of Eight Days), referencing the eight-day celebration observed by celestial beings in Nandiishwar Dwip.
Paryushan as a Festival of Austerity and Renunciation: Paryushan is characterized by extreme penance, unmatched in other religions. Many Jains observe fasting for all eight days, abstaining from food. Some undertake longer fasts of 12, 16, 21, 30, or even 45, 60, or more days. Those unable to fast for extended periods may observe shorter fasts (four, three, two days) or fast on the final day (Samvatsari). If fasting is not possible, they observe "Ekasanu" (eating only one meal a day).
Paryushan as a Festival of Charity and Compassion: The Jain community is recognized for its significant charitable contributions, and this activity peaks during Paryushan. Charity is practiced in three forms: Anukampadan (charity for the distressed), Supatradan (charity to deserving recipients), and Abhaydan (offering of fearlessness), with the latter considered the highest form of charity. Compassion, particularly towards living beings (jivdaya), is deeply ingrained in Jainism.
Historical Significance: The text notes that Paryushan is an ancient festival. It recounts an instance where King Shrenik of Magadh asked Lord Mahavir about the festival. Lord Mahavir stated that King Gajsinh had performed the Paryushan rituals with such excellence that he attained the status of a Tirthankar in a previous life and would achieve liberation.
Paryushan as a Festival of Restraint and Sadhana: The festival involves eleven types of spiritual practices (aradhana): Jin-puja (worship of Jinas), Chaitya-paripati (visiting and honoring Jina temples), devotion to monks and nuns, propagation of the faith, worship of knowledge, hospitality towards fellow Jains (sadharmik vatsalya), listening to the Kalpa Sutra, practicing austerities, offering fearlessness to beings, performing Samvatsarik Pratikramana (annual repentance), and mutual forgiveness. To enhance these practices, adherence to celibacy, charity, compassion, renunciation of sinful deeds, refraining from harsh speech, observing vows like Samayika and Paushadh, listening to spiritual discourses, and celebrating the fourteen auspicious dreams of Lord Mahavir's mother are encouraged.
Duties of Monks: For monks, specific duties during Paryushan include loach (plucking hair from the head and face), observing at least an eight-day fast, reading the Kalpa Sutra, performing Samvatsarik Pratikramana, and mutual forgiveness.
Merit and Demerit on Festival Days: Spiritual actions performed on festival days are considered highly meritorious, while sinful acts on these days are deemed particularly grave and can lead to severe karmic bondage. A Sanskrit verse is quoted: "Sins committed on other days are destroyed on festival days. Sins committed on festival days become like a diamond's coating (indestructible)." Therefore, Paryushan is a festival for nurturing merit and repenting sins, for creating divine qualities and discarding demonic ones.
The Significance of Samvatsari: The final day of Paryushan, known as Samvatsari, is dedicated to extending apologies and forgiveness. Jains exchange the greeting "Michchhami Dukkadam" (meaning "may my faults be forgiven"), symbolizing the resolution of animosity and the cultivation of friendship and humility over anger and ego, thereby promoting love and peace in the world.
Digambara Observance: The Digambara sect of Jainism observes Paryushan differently, commencing a ten-day festival after Samvatsari, known as "Das Lakshani" (Ten Virtues). This festival is based on the ten cardinal virtues of an ascetic: forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, renunciation, self-restraint, penance, truthfulness, purity, non-possession, and celibacy.
Spiritual Attainment as the Goal: Unlike other festivals that may be linked to worldly desires, Paryushan's reward is spiritual attainment. It is described as a powerful festival for achieving the light of the soul and embarking on the path to liberation through renunciation, restraint, charity, compassion, repentance, mutual forgiveness, equanimity, devotion, introspection, and self-correction. It is, truly, the Parvadhiraj.