A true jain must resolve the knot of enmity to keep the jewel of Samyaktwa protected
- Sadhvi Kanak Shri
Howrah (Kolkata), 13 September, 2010:
The celebrations of Paryushan Mahaparva, the greatest annual function of the Jains, organized by North Howrah Shree Jain Swetamber Terapanthi Sabha, concluded at SAM GARDEN in the pious presence of Sadhvi Kanak Shri ji and fellow Sadhvi - Sadhvi Veenakumari ji, Sadhvi Madhulata ji, Sadhvi Madhulekha ji and Sadhvi Shantiprabha ji all learned disciples of H.H. Acharya Shri Mahashraman ji, with the last day of the Paryushan at the end of the Samvatsari being celebrated as Maitri Divas. The programme started at 6.00 A.M. in the presence of thousands of lay followers. Shrawaks and shrawikas having done Poushadh were present having done their Pratikraman in the morning. A large part of the gathering reached from all over the greater Kolkata.
The programme was compered by Sri Bimal Baid. It began with singing of ‘Maitri Geet’ (amity song) jointly by members of North Howrah Sabha and Mahila Mandal. Then Sadhvi Kanak Shri ji offered the lay followers who had done Poushadh to do Samayiks and chanting of Namokar mantra as Aloyana (to purify themselves from any mistakes committed during Poushadh vrata).
Sadhvi Kanak Shri ji and fellow Sadhvis in her group completed the process of Khamat Khamana with Acharya Shree Mahashramanji and Mahashramaniji with bhaav vandana remembering their immense kindness and affection. She expressed her commitment towards reverence of the directions of His Holiness. Then Sadhvi shri performed Khamat Khamna with fellow Sadhvis.Explaining the word ‘Forgiveness’ Sadhvi Madhulata Ji said - “Today is the day of accepting mistakes and seeking forgiveness. Accepting own mistakes mean following the path of the truth whereas non-acceptance of the same means following the path of pride, one of the four Kashayas. Unless one leaves out the pride, one cannot feel the mistakes. Forgiveness means to seek pardon for any damage done by ignorance, negligence or misbehavior and commitment to not repeat the same in future. It is a virtue and it is the first step towards eternal happiness. ‘KHAMATKHAMNA’, the virtue of forgiving & being forgiven, manifests itself truly when there is tolerance. In the absence of toleration it remains a mere verbal assertion and formality without much significance, at times even ironical. One who practices forgiveness is always tolerant. As a result of forgiveness one’s mind, speech and body merge into one whole, a unity. The purity of thought, speech & action is its culmination. Once the knot has been resolved, not to provide another occasion for it to reform, is the consummation of ‘KHAMATKHAMNA’ (Forgiveness)”. A true Jain must resolve all the knots of enmity to keep the jewel of Samyaktwa protected.
Sadhwishriji along with all the fellow sadhviji in her group completed the process of Khamat Khamana beginning with Gurudev Acharya Shree Mahashraman ji to the Lay followers in Kolkata.
Addressing thousands of lay followers, Sadhvi Shri Kanak shri ji said “The eight day long practice of devotion and reverence has come as a final outcome today on the universal forgiveness day; forgiveness with one another generates peace, amity and happiness in the mind. If seeds of forgiveness are sown on the land of thoughts, sprouts of Ahimsa, forbearance and tolerance begins. Tolerance is the base of amity, the result of which is internal happiness and removal of the knots of enmity.” Quoting Universal Forgiveness day as a unique festival of the world, she said –“Any one who possesses the weapon of Kshama and safety cover of amity he remains winner forever. We must keep it in our mind that khamat Khamna does not remain a formality and tradition; the stream of peace and amity should flow from the bottom of heart of every person for the misbehavior and misdeed with any one committed during the year. The utmost need of the hour is to bring changes in the behaviour and conduct in daily life and interactions.”
To ask for forgiveness is the most difficult task to do. Therefore, our great Acharya have said: "Kshama Virashya Bhushanam” and Kshamavani is “Michchha Mi Dukkadam" - To seek forgiveness is a jewel of the brave one and if I have committed any mistake, knowingly or unknowingly, I beg for your forgiveness from the core of my heart.
Sri Chainroop Chindalia (President - JST Mahasabha), Sri Surendra Choraria (President - JVB, LADNUN), Sri Bhanwarlal Singhi (General Secretary of Mahasabha), Sri Karan Singh Nahata (President - Kolkata Sabha) Sri Surendra Kumar Dugar (Managing Trustee - Jai Tulsi Foundation & President-South Kolkata Sabha), Sri Amarchand Dugar (President - North Howrah Sabha), Sri Tulsi Kumar Dugar (Vice-president - ABTYP), Smt. Kalpana Baid (Mahila Mandal), Sri Pramod Nahata (President- Mitra Parishad), Sri Bhupendra Dugar (President - TEYUP) Sri Surendra Surana (President - North Howrah Trust), Sri Sukesh jain (Additional Superintendent of Police - Howrah Town), Smt. Tara Devi Surana (Chief Trustee of All India Ladies wing), Sri Prakash Baid (Vice-president(East)-All India TERAPANTH PROFESSIONAL FORUM), Sri Narendra Kumar Manot (General Secretary-Kolkata Sabha), etc performed Khamat Khamna with Pujyapravar Acharyashree, Sadhvi Pramukahashriji, Mukhya Niyojikaji, Sadhvi Kanak Shri Ji and fellow Sadhvis at Kolkata and asked everybody to forgive them for any mistakes committed knowingly or unknowingly by them in course of their work as office bearers of various Sanghiya institutions and by them in person as well. Kalyanmitra Sri Suresh Goyal performed the formal collective Khamat-Khamana with Pujyapravar, Sadhvishri and the whole society followed by the same amongst ladies and gents. All the Lay followers too reciprocated under the guidance of Sri Suresh Goyal. Other office bearers of central committees, Presidents and Secretaries of regional Sabhas, Mahila mandals, TPF-Kolkata Branch stood at their places and did Khamat Khamna with folded hands.Sri Rajendra Bachhawat (Chief Trustee- Terapanth Mahasabha) Sri Ranjit Singh Kothari (Chief Trustee - JVBI-LADNUN), Sri Binod Kumar Choraria (Trustee - Kolkata Sabha) Sri Banechand Malu (ex-Chief Trustee - Jai Tulsi Foundation), Sri Jawarimal Bengani (founder president of Kolkata Sabha), Sri Jawarilal Nahata (President- South Howrah Sabha),Sri Hiralal Surana (President - Jain Philosophical Society), Sri Shyam Sundar Choraria (W.B. Anuvrat Samiti) etc were also present on the occasion.
Along with the Large Sanyam Samawsaran, the huge pandal in front was jam-packed with the presence of lay followers. Sri Sushil Choraria, HN4U correspondent was also present in Chatushprahari Poushadh. Whole of this festival had dispersed the atoms of amity, equanimity, forgiveness, joy, purity, unity and spirituality in the environment.
Sadhvi Kanak shriji also paid homage to Acharya Kalugani, the eighth Acharya of Terapanth Sect on his death anniversary. The programme ended with mangal path from Sadhvishriji. North Howrah’s lay followers had made arrangements for the parana (the act of breaking fast). Many lay followers did use it.
The Photos:
Sri Amarachand Dugar, North Howrah president performing Kshama Yachna
Devotees from all over Greater Kolkata
Sadhvi Madhulata ji speaking on the significance of Khamat Khamna from the core of heart after practising Pratikraman
Sadhvi Kanak Shri ji preaching the lay followers to seek and give forgiveness to keep the soul pure and free from four Kashays (anger, pride, deceit and greed)
Sadhvi Kanak Shriji blessing the devotees