Meaning of Paryushan & five essential activities during Paryushan.

Meaning of Paryushan

The word “Paryushan” has several different meanings: 

1. Pari + Ushan = all kinds + to burn = to burn (shed) our all  types of Karmas.   To shed our Karmas, we do twelve different types of austerities including fasting.

2. Another meaning of “Ushan” is to stay closer. To stay closer to our own soul from all directions  and  to  stay  absorbed  in  our  own-self  (soul),  we  do Swädhyäy  (self-study), meditation, austerities,

3. Pari +  Upashamanä  =  Upashamanä  means  to  suppress,  to  suppress  our  passions (Kashäyas – anger, ego, deceit and greed) from all directions.

Therefore, the real purpose of the Paryushan is to purify our soul by staying closer to our own soul, to look at our own faults, to ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we have committed, and take vows to minimize our sins.   We should try to forget about the needs of our body (like food) and our business so that we can concentrate on our soul during Paryushan.

Recitation of Kalpa Sutra

Per Shvetämbar tradition, there are regular ceremonies in the temple and discourses of Kalpa Sutra (one of the sacred books) in the Upäshray during this time.  Kalpa Sutra, which contains a detailed account of Mahävir’s life in addition to the lives of other Tirthankars.   It is read to the Jain congregation by Guru maharaj.   On the third day of the Paryushan Parva, the Kalpa Sutra receives a very special reverence and may be carried in the procession.   On the fifth day  at  a  special  ceremony,  the  replicas  of  auspicious  dreams  of  Mahävir’s  mother,  queen Trishalä, are exhibited to the people, which are then honored by them.  Listening to the Kalpa Sutra, among others are the most important activities that should be performed by Jain during Paryushan.   Scripture define that Shrävaks and Shrävikäs should perform following five essential activities during Paryushan.

1. Amäri Pravartan (Spread the message of non-violence)

2. Attham Tap (Fast for three consecutive days)

3. Chaitya Paripati (Go for a visit and prayers to different Derasars in town in group)

4. Swami Vätsalya (Honor and respect fellow Jains)

5. Kshamäpanä (Extend and ask for forgiveness by performing Pratikraman)

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