Samvatsari

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This article is about a
vengefulness, see forgiveness
.
Samvatsari
Paryushan, Kshamavani
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Saṃvatsari (

Bhadrapada, somewhere between the middle of August and September in the Gregorian calendar
.

On this day, Jains forgive and seek forgiveness for their mistakes committed knowingly or unknowingly from all the living beings. A yearly, elaborate penitential retreat called "samvatsari pratikramana" is performed on this day. After the pratikramana, Jains seek forgiveness from all the creatures of the world, including friends and relatives by uttering the phrase — Micchami Dukkadam or its variants like "Khamau Sa", "Uttam Kshama" or "Khamat Khamna".

Etymology

Samvatsari is derived Sanskrit language. Samvatsara refers to a "year" in Vedic literature such as the Rigveda and other ancient texts.[1] Thus, Samvatsari literally refers to a day that comes annually.

Customs and Traditions

As a matter of ritual, they personally greet their friends and relatives Micchami Dukkadam. No private quarrel or dispute may be carried beyond Saṃvatsarī and messages, telephone calls are made to the outstation friends and relatives asking their forgiveness.[2]

Being the holiest day of the

Jain calendar,[3][4]
many Jains observe a complete fast on this day.

Samvatsari and Kshamavani

While Samvatsari and

Shvetambara sect and Digambara
respectively, there is no major difference between the two days and both are observed as Forgiveness Days. Rather, the two are usually used interchangeably.

However, a major difference between the two is that despite both Samvatsari and Kshamavani falling on the last day of

Paryushan
festival for the two sects itself commences on different dates and is of varying duration.

As a result, while Samvatsari is observed on Shukla Panchami of Bhadrapada month by the

Ashvin Krishna month of the lunar-based Jain calendar
.

See also

References

  1. ISBN 978-81-208-1044-0
    .
  2. ISBN 978-0-7661-3682-3
    p.876
  3. ISBN 1-898723-30-3
    . p. 212
  4. ^ "Jains pray for peace, brotherhood". The Hindu. 13 September 2007. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2009.


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