Paryushan is the most significant festival celebrated by the people of the Jain community of India as well as abroad. It is celebrated as a festival of long duration and both the sects of Jainism i.e. Digambara and Svetambara observe the festival with full emotion, zeal, and zest. The main objective of celebrating Paryushan Parva is to attain spiritual awakening through self-discipline and abandonment of materialistic dreams and desires.
Ten Lines on Paryushan Festival
Set 1
1) Paryushan is the most significant event celebrated by the people of the Jain community.
2) It is observed by both branches of Jainism i.e. Digambara and Svetambara.
3) Paryushan is generally referred to as a great festival or ‘Maha Parva Paryushan’.
4) Digambar Jains celebrate Paryushan for 10 days whereas Svetambara Jains for 8 days.
5) Paryushan is celebrated in the ‘Shukla paksha’ of the ‘Bhadrapada’ month.
6) Texts on Jainism emphasize that Paryushan must be started after the start of rainy season.
7) The general meaning of Paryushan is to control one’s anger, stress, greed, and ego, etc.
8) Paryushan festival is carried out in the gathering and under the guidance of Jain gurus.
9) Some devotees carry out a procession on the streets of their scriptures and saints.
10) Paryushan gives its devotees time to think about themselves and then work on it.
Set 2
1) Paryushan is the most important festival of the people of the Jain community celebrated with much zeal and zest by both the branches of Jainism.
2) It is celebrated in the month of August or September as per the Gregorian calendar and in the month of Bhadrapada as per the Hindu calendar.
3) ‘Pari’ means ‘all’ and ‘Ushan’ means ‘to burn’ meaning burning all past ‘karmas’.
4) Another meaning of Paryushan is taken out from the word ‘Upshamana’ which means to suppress an individual’s anger, greed, hatred, stress, and tension, etc.
5) The main objective of celebrating Paryushan is a spiritual awakening, through self-control and self-discipline and renouncing the materialistic needs.
6) For a short time duration, Paryushan Parva must be initiated by Panchami (fifth day) of the ‘Shukla paksha’ phase of the ‘Bhadrapada’.
7) The last day of Paryushan Parva is known as ‘Samvatsari’ or Samvatsari Parikramana and there can be minor changes in celebration between two sects.
8) Generally, the Paryushan festival is marked by observing fast and doing prayers and religious activities are carried out mostly in a group in temples.
9) Some devotees carry out processions to mark respect for their religious texts and saints.
10) Fasting is another important ritual practiced by both sects of Jain religion at the time of Paryushan and the duration of fasting can range from one day to one month.
Set 3
1) Paryushana is an important festival in Jainism.
2) The literal meaning of Paryushana is ‘Abiding and coming together’.
3) The celebration takes place in the month of August or September.
4) Fasting and meditation are done by people of the Jain community.
5) This makes them more devoted enhances their spiritual power.
6) Jain people are free to celebrate this event according to their own capabilities.
7) The festival is called Das Lakshana Dharma by Digambaras.
8) Svetambaras celebrate this festival as Paryushana.
9) The Digambara sect in Jains celebrates this event for ten days.
10) The Swetambara sect of Jains celebrates this event for eight days.
11) Samvatsari celebration marks the end of the festival of Paryushana.
Set 4
1) Paryushana is an eight days festival in Jainism.
2) It falls in Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad month.
3) Jain people focus on self-punishment and self-discipline during this event.
4) They avoid hurting any living organism on the earth.
5) Kalp Sutra and sacred Jain scriptures are read by people on all eight days.
6) The life history and teachings of Lord Mahavira are recited.
7) Jain people keep fast for a period of more than 30 days.
8) Sravakas in Swetambaras consume food only once during fasting.
9) The last day of the festival is of asking forgiveness from others.
10) Jain people ask forgiveness by saying Micchami Dkkadam to others.
Paryushan gives ample time for introspection and rethinking to an individual and to ponder upon the issues of life as well as in the capacity of the individual. Paryushan is also beneficial because it gives an opportunity to the people to get connected with the other fellows and counterparts of Jainism. In Paryushan, fasting is very much important and both the sects of Jainism observe fast ranging from one day to 30 days.