Paryushan Parv 2024: A Time for Fasting, Prayer & Inner Growth

Imagine what if someday you hit the pause button and start thinking about all the things that matter to you. While doing that, all the good and bad deeds come to your mind. Well, that is what Paryushan Parv 2024 is all about! Termed as one of the most important festivals in Jainism, Paryushan or Pajjusana is the time when Jains focused on the themes of forgiveness, compassion and self-improvement. 

The eight to ten days of fasting show the promise of spiritual and personal growth and a chance to become better. Keep reading to explore more about Jain Paryushan 2024, the reasons behind the Paryushan celebration, the rituals involved, and do’s and don’ts. 

• Paryushan Parv 2024 Start Date: 31st August, 2024 
• Paryushan Parv 2024 End Date: 8th September 2024 

Paryushan Meaning: A Celebration of Reflection and Renewal 

Meet one of the most important and significant festivals of Jainism: Paryushan Parv 2024. Also known as Parva Dhiraj, Paryushan meaning has been derived from the two words Pari (recollecting oneself) and Vasan (place).

It means that all of the Jains come together during this celebration and fast and meditate together for their mental and spiritual growth. It was Lord Mahavira who started this tradition on the Shukla Panchami of Bhadrapada month (as per the Hindu lunar calendar). 

The festival of Paryushan, aka Pajjusana, is based on the three principles which are right conduct, right knowledge and right faith. For Jains, the festival of Daslakshan Parva (Paryushan) is the perfect time to cleanse their mind, body and soul. Not only this but during this time, their main intention is to clear their past bad karmic deeds and focus on doing good deeds. The festival of eight or ten days concludes with Samvatsari or Kshamavani, in which Jains ask for forgiveness for their wrongdoings in the past year. 

Also Read: Somvati Amavasya 2024: Significance, Vrat Katha and Rituals

6 Essential Duties of Paryushan Parv 2024 You Should Know

The festival of Paryushan is not only restricted to asking for forgiveness. Instead, there are several rituals and practices associated with this celebration. So, here are the basic duties and practices that one has to follow during Jain Paryushan 2024. This includes fasting, meditating, self-study and much more. 

1. Nonviolence (Ahimsa) 

During the period of eight or ten days, Jains have to control their anger and temper and follow nonviolence. Not only from actions, but Jains also try not to harm any other living being through their words. The practice of ahimsa brings a sense of peace and calm to their lives. 

2. Engaging in self-discipline (Sanyam) 

The next majorly important duty followed during Paryushan is engaging in self-discipline, a.k .a. keeping sanyam (discipline). This step teaches the individual how to be disciplined and have good self-control through the ups and downs of life. This practice of self-discipline could be related to anything, such as controlling one’s rude behaviour or not consuming one’s favourite meals. 

3. Partial/Complete fasting (Tapah) 

This duty of Paryushan is achieved through partial or complete fasting as per Jain customs and traditions. During this time, Jain consumes satvik foods and observes the fast for the whole day. However, some people follow the practice of ekasana (eating meals only once a day) and byasana (eating meals twice a day).

However, the process of tapah is not only related to food here; people also have to follow tapah by visiting temples, meditation and doing prayers to Lord Mahavira. 

4. Study of Scriptures (Swadhaya) 

The word Swadhaya has been derived from the Sanskrit word, which means to self-study. Now, connecting this practice with Paryushan meaning to analyse and study by self. During this time, Jains read their holy scriptures, such as Kalpasutra (Shwetambar sect) and Tatvartha-sutra (Digambar sect).

So, this day is solely dedicated to self-learning through spiritual books. The main intention of this practice is to adopt the characteristics taught in the books and develop an inner personality by learning good things. 

5. Introspection (Pratikraman) 

The next practice involves Pratikraman, which means introspection. Combined with the two words Pra (return) and atikraman (violation), the practice of Pratikraman means coming back from violations. Basically, Pratikraman is a process in which Jain tries to cleanse their souls’  conscience through introspection. 

If there were any bad karmic deeds committed in the past, the act of Pratikraman gives them a chance to return back to the path of truth, honesty and non-violence. As per Jain traditions and customs, there are several types of Pratikraman one can follow, such as Pakkhi Pratikraman, Devsi Pratikraman, Raishi Pratikraman and many others. 

6. Repentance (Prayaschitta) 

After the practice of ahimsa, pratikraman, and swadhaya, now is the time for the final practice, which means asking for forgiveness and forgiving others as well. Also known as Kshamapana, in this practice, Jains ask for forgiveness from others for their misbehaviour, bad karmas and wrongdoings. The major mantra of this practice is to forgive and forget. 

Discovering the Rich Traditions of the Paryushan Parv 2024 

• Fasting is the most important tradition of Jain Paryushan 2024. It includes drinking only boiled water and consuming only sattvic meals. Moreover, during this time, eating leafy and green vegetables and ground root vegetables is not allowed. 
• Since the days of Paryushan are considered holy and significant in Jainism, taking part in prayers or vyakhyans is seen as important. Along with this, people also read holy books and scriptures for their spiritual growth and personality development. 
• Speaking of spiritual growth, Jains also include the practice of meditation in their daily schedule. Doing this provides them with inner peace and calmness and also self-knowledge. As per the popular Jain customs and traditions, people take one minute for each hour for the whole day to meditate and attain wisdom. 
• The practice of Paryushan is concluded on the last day of the celebration, aka Samvatsari. What happens next is that people ask for forgiveness from other living beings by saying the phrases Micchami Dukaddam, Khamat Khamna and much more. 

Top 5 Dos and Don’ts for a Meaningful Paryushan Parv 2024 

Now that you know the major rituals involved in Jain Paryushan 2024, let us look at something more important: basic do’s and don’ts. By simply following these guidelines, you can make this Jain Paryushan 2024 even more meaningful. From the right foods to consume to things to maintain distance from, let us explore the major practices of Paryushan Parv 2024 together. 

1. Paryushan Parv: Do’s

• Mantra Jaap: The basic and easiest way to make the festival of Paryushan even more meaningful is to practise mantra jaap. Some people meditate as well as recite mantras daily for at least 15-20 minutes. 

• Meditation: Meditation is a process in which one leads to his spiritual journey. So, offering prayers to the five supremes of Jaininsm, including 24 Jinas and 4 mangalas is the best option. Along with meditation, one can also perform Mauna dhyana (not talking) for at least one hour daily. 

• Ekasana or Byasana: People observing the fast during Jain paryushan can choose the option of Ekasana or Byasana. In Ekasana, they are allowed to eat only one meal a day, and that is before sunrise. Byasana means consuming only two meals a day.

• Enhancing knowledge and wisdom: To live a life filled with a path of honesty, non-violence and truth, it is necessary to immerse yourself in the higher self. This is possible only by enhancing your wisdom and knowledge. Thus, reading holy scriptures such as Kalpasutra and Tathvasutra is advised. 

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2. Paryushan Parv: Don’ts

• Consuming Green Vegetables: As per the Jain customs and traditions, people avoid consuming green vegetables during Paryushan. However, instead of green vegetables, they can consume meals made of milk. 

• Consuming outside food: Since the meals consumed during Paryushan are completely sattvic, then eating outside or junk foods from restaurants and hotels is not allowed. 

• Using or wearing leather articles: During the celebration of Paryushan, people separate themselves from all the material world and materialistic things and try to live a simple life. Thus, using or wearing items made of leather would attach them to the physical world and its material possessions, contradicting the very principle of detachment. 
• Getting angry or using foul language: The whole principle of celebrating Paryushan is cleansing one’s past bad karma. So, using foul language or getting angry and saying harsh things to others will only enhance one’s bad deeds instead of eliminating them. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

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