Utmost care towards tiny living beings

जयं चरे, जयं चिट्ठे, जयमासे जयं सए ।
जयं भुंजंतो भासंतो, पावकम्मं ण बंधइ ।।
– Shree Dashvaikalik Sutra

24th Tirthankar Bhagwan Mahavir has given a profoundly significant message that those who are careful while walking, staying, sitting, sleeping, eating or speaking will not commit sins. Each of our actions must be done with utmost care, thoughtfulness and alertness.

The 8 sacred days of Paryushan are ideal to follow the preachings of Bhagwan Mahavir. While walking, we should watch the path below, to avoid hurting or killing any insects or small living beings. One should also close the doors gently so that they don’t hurt any lizard that may get crushed inadvertently. We should walk gently and with alertness and not be distracted or walk in haste so that we don’t crush or step on any ant, mouse or such small living beings. We should not walk over grass.

Each step or action that we take, must be thoughtful and laced with careful consideration and concern for all beings. Even while sitting, we must check that there are no insects under our seat, and hence we must use Rajoharan or Guchha to wipe the floor and gently put aside small insects if any, before we sit.

We must elevate our spiritual potential during the holy days of Paryushan Mahaparva. Even while speaking, we must be alert. Of late we do wear masks, but at other times, and especially during these 8 days we must try to wear the muhapatti or hold a handkerchief across the mouth. While speaking we must take care to keep our mouth covered such that each of our utterance is non-violent, caring for every insect or micro-organism and protecting air-bodied organisms.

Each of our acts must be adorned with alertness – whether it involves eating, drinking water, sleeping, sitting or talking.

We can make deep imprints on our soul with such core values of non-violence and spiritual accomplishments. This is also one of our obligations while celebrating the Paryushan festival.

Paryushan Parv – the 8-day Jain Festival of Forgiveness is an occasion to eliminate the impurities that pollute the soul – such as anger, ego, greed, jealousy, deceit, attachment, hatred and much more. It is a period of emotional cleansing and becoming light and relaxed from within.

From a karmic perspective, it is said that during these 8 days, the magnetic frequencies in the entire universe are the highest. As a result, the soul vibrates the most and may even bind the karmas that determine his next birth. And therefore, Jains observe maximum sadhanas, spiritual practices, penance and fasting during these days to make the most of this auspicious period.

Param Gurudev Shree Namramuni Maharaj Saheb profoundly enlists a detailed list of Do’s and Don’ts of what should be done and what we should refrain from doing during these divine days of Paryushan. During these Paryushan days, Jains make an effort to realize, repent and seek forgiveness for mistakes made during the entire year by performing Pratikraman, Alochana fasting, taking small Pachkhan vows, etc. The last day of Paryushan, known as Samvatsari, is the day when everyone performs the annual practice of Samvatsari Pratikraman and says sorry or ‘Michhami Dukadam’ to every living of the universe for having hurt them knowingly or unknowingly through their mind, body and speech.