पर्युषण : वैरं मडझं न क्रेण इ
Summary
The text discusses the Paryushan festival, a spiritual and cultural observance beginning on the fifth or fourth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad. It is not associated with any Tirthankar's birth or nirvana, and it emphasizes humanity, restraint, and discipline rather than personality worship. The Shwetambar tradition starts the festival eight days before the fifth day, while the Digambar tradition begins it as a ten-day festival. The festival is presented as a response to widespread violence, conflict, and disintegration, advocating for non-violence, peace, and friendship. It is described as a time for introspection, moving from external focus to inner development, and for resolving the contradiction of humans becoming closer to distant things while growing distant from their own spiritual essence. A parable illustrates how people often forget themselves while focusing on others. The festival involves eight days of self-realization practices, aiming to free individuals from self-forgetfulness and overcome physical and mental distortions, tensions, and bonds. It emphasizes mental and spiritual strength over circumstances. The text highlights the importance of tolerance, non-absolutism, and non-violence, stating that violence and conflict stem from lack of restraint. It stresses the need for forgiveness and friendship, facilitated by the practice of Pratikraman, which helps untie knots of attachment and aversion. The festival promotes a lifestyle of non-violence and non-attachment, encouraging mutual forgiveness and the cleansing of familial and social tensions. It cites a Jain vow of universal friendship and forgiveness, and notes that thoughts have echoes, returning to the thinker. The festival is a time to purify the year's errors, seek forgiveness for harsh behavior, and untangle life's complexities. The text concludes with submission guidelines for the publication, welcoming original, ethical-spiritual writings, stories, and poems, and specifying formatting requirements.
Conclusion
The document emphasizes that Paryushan Parva is not merely a religious festival but a profound spiritual and cultural observance with universal implications for humanity. Its core outcomes include the promotion of forgiveness, friendship, and self-restraint, which are presented as essential remedies for contemporary societal ills like violence, conflict, and mental stress. The text argues that by practicing introspection and letting go of past grievances, individuals can resolve family and social tensions, leading to greater peace and harmony. Ultimately, the festival’s significance lies in its ability to shift focus from materialism and external distractions to inner spiritual growth, offering a practical path to overcome personal and collective crises through the cultivation of non-violence and mutual respect.