Ritu S. Jain
Swadhyaya Diwas
The second day of the Paryushana Parva was celebrated as “Swadhyay Diwas” i.e. the day dedicated for self learning through reading spiritual and religious books. On the eve of “Swadhyay Diwas” Samani Bhavit Pragya said that the “Adhyatama”, the spiritualism is an “Art of Self Learning”. It aims at learning about soul, which shapes our personality to remain cool and calm even in difficult times, developing cordial relationships with people of opposite characteristics and remaining optimism in adverse situations. One can not achieve heights without spirituality.
In this fast pace lifestyle, every body wants to gain material heights. We give more stress in developing those qualities among our children which can provide better livelihood opportunities in future but usually ignore developing spiritual abilities. We concentrate on building external personality leaving the internal personality aside. We should recognize that development of intrinsic personality equally important.
Adhyatam Vidya stresses primarily on development of internal personality Intrinsic development means remaining cool and calm during every phase life may it be good or bad. Spiritualism helps in growing a personality that can not be affected by the situational circumstances.
There are many ways of developing self-characteristics but self learning through reading is the most convenient way of developing your own personality. There is a saying, which I would like to reproduce here:
“Books are the best friend of oneself”
Recognizing the importance of reading, this day is devoted to Swadhaya. There are many books suggested by the learned saints e.g. Biography of Trithankars, Religious books, Gita, Ramayan etc. These books help us in identifying our inner characteristics, developing our person skills like positive attitude, concentration etc. and feeling the ecstatic bliss.