Paryushan Is A Pilgrimage To Ones Inner Self
- Sadhvi Kanakshri
North Howrah (Kolkata), 05 September, 2010
The eight day long celebrations of Paryushan 2010 began in the pious presence of Sadhvi Kanak Shri ji and fellow Sadhavis., learned disciples of Acharya Shri Mahashramanji at SAM Garden, Salkia School Road, North Howrah. Paryushan, the greatest annual function of the Jains, is being celebrated this year at North Howrah (Kolkata) under the arrangements of North Howrah Shri Jain Swetamber Terapanthi Sabha.
The festival began with the inception of dawn with the 7 day long continuous (24 Hours) chanting of Namaskar Mahamantra which was initiated by the ladies wing of North Howrah Mahila Mondal after recital of Mangal Path by Sadhvi Kanak shri Ji. The environment echoed with the group chorus of Namaskar Mahamantra. With an eye to promote world peace, Namokar Mantra will continue uninterruptedly for seven days. In the day the ladies wing and Shrawikas will participate and in the night the gents from various local sabhas will continue the chanting of mantras. Sadhvi shri ji said - “this continuous chanting of mantras purifies the surroundings of the devotee and the vibrations create an atmosphere for mental peace and world peace”.
On the first day of this Festival of Adoration, amongst the presence of over three thousands of Shrawaks & Shrawikas, Sadhvi Kanak Shri ji, uncovering mysteries of Paryushan festival said: “ Paryushan is a pilgrimage of ones inner self. It is a festival of self retrospect and development of amity amongst all the souls. It is a festival of illuminating oneself. It is a festival of taking the mental and conscious mind nearer to the soul. It is also a festival of correcting the mistakes and leaving behind the inaccuracy. It is a festival of accounting the yearly improvement /loss in the purification process of the soul and finally it is a festival of forgiving others and seeking forgiveness from others so as to maintain purity of the soul. This festival encourages one self to get closer to his soul and inspires the followers to develop emotional relationship with all the living creatures, not only man. Self restraint is one of the most important principles laid down by Lord Mahavira. Paryushan Parv is an occasion of home - coming and the meaning of Paryushan is anniversary of a religious life and celebration thereof. Paryushan is relevant today in the sense that it can help in removing the present world’s problem of terrorism and violence.”
She further asked that, in the name of rationality and self purification how much have we gained or lost throughout the year, an evaluation of the same should be done. This occasion is an occasion of making one self reliant. This occasion is an occasion to subsidize the four passions viz., anger, deceit, conceit and greed. She encouraged tranquility, patience, penance and devotion.
The first day of this occasion was celebrated as resisting the edible.’ On the first day of Paryushan Mahaparv, hundreds of devotees fasted. Sadhvi Madhulata ji spoke about the usefulness of restraint of food. She said devotees who observe continuous fasting many days, do it for gaining inner strength and purification of the soul. Food is a base for gaining inner strength and devotion. Speaking about the Food restraint day, Sadhvi Kanak shri ji she said - “This occasion is an occasion of abandoning and not eating, waking up and not sleeping, worship and not desire. Where ever there is body, food is essential. But before taking food one must keep in mind the health from three dimensions- physical, mental and emotional. The food intake should be balanced and such as to maintain the health, from all the three angles. Food intake is to gain power, but if more power is required for digesting the same, such junk should be avoided. ”
On this day the129 years ago fourth Acharya of Terapanth Sect Srimad Jayacharya left for heavenly abode at the age of 78 on Bhadra Badi 12, Vikram Samvat 1938 in Jaipur(Rajasthan, India). So the day was also observed as 129th Jayacharya Nirwan Diwas. Paying homage to reverend Jayacharya Sadhvishriji said - “it was during the regime of Acharya Jeetmal ji that Terapanth Sect began the journey of development. Jayacharya was an able management guru who preached the importance of discipline, right conduct, dignity and management in all round development of an individual as well as an organization. He was a great visionary. He was contemporary to Marx in Europe. During the same era Marxism was developing in Europe, Jayacharya opened the doors for socialism in Terapanth Sangh. All the saints were disciples of one Acharya, no one had rights over newly initiated saints and books as well. His management is a source of encouragement for the present day socialism. Jai prakash Narayan, a great socialist leader and a politician, when came to learn about the work and thought of Jayacharya, he was impressed very much and even said - what we could not attain in politics was established by Jayacharyaji hundred of years ago. Jayacharya as a saint was also a marvel. He composed various verses, the chanting of which removed many a unpredicted hurdles and outrage on saints and nuns by evil power. He composed ARADHANA and CHOBISI which are said to be very powerful prayer of the enlightened souls - the 24 Tirthankaras of the Jain Order. In all his poetical compositions come up to about 3 hundreds of thousands verses - a great literary achievement.
Sanyam Samvasaran of the SAM Garden, North HOWRAH was occupied by innumerous devotees who had come from various places of Kolkata, North - South Howrah and Suburban area. The Paryushan Mahaparv started with a group song presented by the sisters of Mahila Mandal. Sadhvi Madhulekhaji and Sadhvi Shanti Prabha ji sandg a chorus song on the occasion.
In the evening at 6 P.M., hundreds of lay followers attended collective Pratikraman at SAnyam Samawasaran. Throughout the city, at various Sabha Bhawans Pratikraman (an act observed whereby one confesses the transgressions committed during the day) was successfully performed.
After Pratikraman, and Arhat Vandana, Sadhvi Kanak shri ji enlightened the devotees with the life and teachings of Acharya Jeetmalji. Sadhvi shri ji said Acharya jeetmalji was The programme was compered by Sri Bimal Baid, secretary of North Howrah Sabha. Sri Amar Chand Dugar, President of North Howrah Sabha and his team of over 100 workers was instrumental in nicely managing all the arrangements including traffic and car parking. All the lay followers coming from Greater Kolkata were delighted with the arrangements done by Sabha. The newly nominated president of Kolkata Sabha Sri Karan Singh Nahata and his General Secretary Sri Narendra Kumar Manot were instrumental in informing most of the Terapanthi families of greater Kolkata about the day to day programmes held in pious presence of Sadhvi Kanak shri ji through SMS managed by Kolkata Sabha.
The Photos:
Large gathering of lay followers
Sadhvi kanak shriji delivering discourse
Women lay followers listening to the discourse
Office bearers of sabhas of greater kolkata
Sadhvi kanak shriji delivering discourse
Gents lay followers listening the discourse
Sadhvi kanak shriji delivering discourse on the food restraint day
