Samvatsari Parvano Zagado

This document, "Samvatsari Parvano Zagado" by Parmanand Kapadia, published in Prabuddha Jivan in 1948, discusses two primary topics: the financial agreement between India and Britain and a dispute within the Jain community regarding the date of the Samvatsari festival.

Part 1: India-Britain Financial Agreement

The first part of the text focuses on the financial implications of the India-Britain agreement, likely post-independence. Key points include:

• Sterling Balance: India was granted the freedom to spend ₹106 crore from its sterling balance, with an additional ₹107 crore newly allocated. This means a total of ₹213 crore was available for spending.
• Dollar Conversion: ₹20 crore from this amount would be converted into dollars in the upcoming year, with future decisions on further conversions to be made later.
• Military Equipment: The British government handed over military equipment to the Indian government, valued at ₹5 billion. A permanent settlement for this was made at ₹133 crore, to be paid from a separate surplus.
• Pensions: The British government would pay the pensions of those residing in England, owed by the Indian government, for several years. In return, ₹224 crore was provided from the separate surplus to the British government.
• Interest on Surplus: The interest rate on the separate surplus was fixed at zero.
• Remaining Surplus: After all payments according to this tripartite agreement, India would retain a surplus of ₹1065 crore. Of this, ₹265 crore would be kept as a reserve against currency. After three years, the usable sterling balance would be ₹8 billion.
• Minister's Satisfaction: The Indian Finance Minister was satisfied that the British government did not propose to reduce or write off the sterling balance, thus validating India's claim.
• Criticism of Allocation: The author criticizes the allocation of only ₹107 crore for three years, considering India's need to import goods for foundational industries, agricultural development, machinery replacement, and inflation control.
• Reason for Low Allocation: The author attributes this low allocation to the Indian government's failure to utilize the full ₹110 crore granted in previous agreements. This weakened India's position, as it led to a lower projected consumption and prevented the release of a larger sum in the new agreement, with savings and new funds being combined.
• Dollar Conversion Clause: The clause regarding dollar conversion was also deemed unsatisfactory. However, the gradual shift of many countries from Sterling was seen as a relief.
• Military Equipment Valuation: The author questions the valuation of the military equipment at ₹5 billion, noting that America did not charge England for similar items and that the price received (₹130 crore) was not a significant gain compared to the usual selling price of such goods. While the payment from the sterling balance provided immediate relief, the British government benefited by securing payments for its nationals' pensions.
• True Resolution: A true resolution for the sterling balance would be achieved only when the British government sells its significant assets in India and a permanent, formal agreement is made for the remaining amount.
• Urgency of Imports: Without such a resolution, there is no urgency for Britain to supply goods against the outstanding balance, especially given the global demand for goods. The author suggests that the current lack of usage of released sterling might be due to this, but the ongoing Sterling exchange in many countries will ease import difficulties.
• Call to Action: The author urges political leaders to engage with economic matters, recognizing that economic issues are life-and-death for the public and that politics should serve as a tool for societal progress.

Part 2: The Dispute Over Samvatsari Festival

The second part of the text delves into a disagreement within the Shvetambara Murtipujak sect of Jainism regarding the observance of the Samvatsari festival.

• Date Dispute: The core of the dispute lies in fixing the date of Samvatsari, traditionally observed on Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi (the fourth day of the waxing moon in the Bhadrapad month). The disagreement centers on whether to celebrate it on September 6th (Monday) or September 7th (Tuesday).
• ** आचार्य Disagreement:** Prominent Acharyas hold differing opinions, with some favoring September 7th, while Acharya Shri Sagarannand Suri supports September 6th.
• Consequences of Disagreement: This difference of opinion leads to followers of different Acharyas celebrating Samvatsari on separate days. In places where followers of both factions gather, disagreements and quarrels are likely to arise on the day of Samvatsari, instead of mutual forgiveness.
• Root Cause: Panchang Calculation: The text explains the underlying cause: the discrepancy between the lunar-based Hindu calendar (which Jains follow) and the solar-based Gregorian calendar. The Hindu calendar's months vary in length (28, 30, or 31 days), and the entire year is about 351 days. To synchronize with the solar year, an extra month (Adhik Maas) is added every three years.
• Panchang Irregularities: Due to the moon's irregular movement, the dates (Tithis) can sometimes be extended (Vriddhi) or shortened (Kshaya). This irregularity in Tithis has historically led to divisions and conflicts within the Jain community.
• Jain Tradition of Maintaining Tithis: To maintain the unity of religious observances, the Jain tradition has adopted a practice of adjusting Tithis. If a Tithi is extended, the following Tithi is considered extended. If a Tithi is shortened, the preceding Tithi is considered shortened. However, the author notes that this system has led to confusion and a loss of uniformity in Jain community life.
• The Samvatsari Issue Explained: The current Samvatsari dispute is rooted in the fact that Bhadrapad Shukla Panchami (the fifth day) is considered a festival Tithi according to the Jain tradition. However, based on precise almanac calculations, this Panchami is considered to have a "Kshaya" (shortening), meaning it effectively occurs within the previous day. Since the festival is traditionally observed on the day of the Tithi, and the Tithi is considered shortened, the date needs to be adjusted.
• The Dilemma: The text highlights the dilemma: if the Panchami is shortened, the preceding Tithi (Chaturthi) would also need to be adjusted. However, since Chaturthi is also significant as the traditional day for Samvatsari, the argument arises whether to shorten it or not. Acharya Sagarannand Suri advocates for shortening the Chaturthi to keep the festival on the 6th. Other Acharyas propose adjusting further back to the third day or extending the 5th to the 6th, causing further complications.
• Loss of Uniformity: The author laments the loss of a sense of proportion, compromise, and uniformity in the Jain community. The differing interpretations of Tithis by Acharyas have created rifts, and the author believes that this trend is detrimental to the future of the Jain society.
• Need for Compromise: The author stresses the importance of compromise and consensus among the Acharyas to ensure that the Samvatsari festival is celebrated uniformly by all sections of the Jain community.
• Call for Unification: The text concludes by expressing a wish for all responsible Acharyas to reach a consensus on the Samvatsari festival, allowing the entire community to observe it together. The movement to integrate Paryushan and Samvatsari has been initiated, but the author believes the current approach of differing on dates makes unification a mere daydream. The future of the Jain society is considered "highly worrying and regrettable" due to these divisions.