तरंगलोला - I

Summary

This Hindi article provides an informative overview of major Jaina rituals and festivals, emphasising their historical development and spiritual significance. The author begins by describing Paryuṣaṇ, the most important festival for both Digambaras and Śvetāmbaras. Observed over eight to ten days, Paryuṣaṇ is a time for intense self‑purification through fasting, meditation and scriptural study. The article outlines the sequence of rituals, including the daily recitation of Kalpa‑sūtra, confession of sins (pratikramaṇa) and the culminating rite of forgiveness (kṣamāpanā), when devotees seek and grant forgiveness from all beings. The second section discusses Diwali, celebrated by Jainas as the anniversary of Lord Mahāvīra’s liberation. While the general public associates Diwali with the goddess Lakṣmī and material prosperity, the article emphasises its spiritual meaning for Jainas: the lighting of lamps symbolises the illumination of the soul with right knowledge. The author describes traditional Jaina Diwali practices, such as visiting temples at dawn, donating to monks and nuns, and listening to sermons on the life of Mahāvīra. The article also covers lesser‑known rituals, including the practice of sallekhana (voluntary peaceful death) when undertaken with the appropriate mental attitude; the daily ritual of sāmāyika, which cultivates equanimity; and the rainy‑season retreat (cāturmāsa) during which monks stay in one place to avoid harming mobile beings. Each ritual is contextualised within Jaina metaphysics: fasting purifies karma, confession removes mental defilements and pilgrimage (yātrā) to sacred sites accumulates merit. Throughout the essay, the author underscores that rituals are not mere external observances but vehicles for internal transformation. He cautions against mechanical performance and encourages practitioners to reflect on the underlying values of non‑violence, humility and self‑restraint. By elucidating the rationale behind Jaina rituals in accessible Hindi, the article helps lay readers appreciate their significance and provides guidance on how to observe them meaningfully.