Jain Paryusana/Daslaksana Parva

Paryushana (or Paryusan) is one of the two most important festivals for the Jain, the other being Diwali. Normally Syetambara Jains refer it as Paryushana, while Digambra Jains refer it as Daslaksana.  Paryushan means, Literally, Abiding or Coming together.  It is also a time when the laity takes on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism.  

The duration of Paryusana/Daslaksana is for 8 or 10 days and comes at the time when the wandering monks take up temporary residence for four months of monsoon. In popular terminology, this stay is termed Chaturmasa because the rainy season is regarded to be about four months.  Paryushana must be initiated by Panchami (5^th day) of the Shukla Paksha phase of the Bhadrapada month.  In the scriptures it is described that Jain Lord Mahavira used to start Paryushana on Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha Panchami. After Mahavir, nearly 150 years Jain Samvatsari was shifted to Chaturthi (4^th day of Bhadrapada of Shukla phase.  Since 2200 years Jains follows Chaturthi.

The date for the Paryushana festival is thus Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi for both major sects.  Because of computational and other differences, there can be some minor differences among various subjects.  Recently there has been an attempt to standardize the date.  Because at this time the monks have settled in the town for a longer duration, it is time for the householders to have an annual renewal of the faith by listening to the statement of the Dharma and by meditation and Vratas (self-control).  

In the Digambaras, it is done by starting a 10-day period from Paryushana (Bhadrapada Shukla panchami) during which the Dashalakshana Vrata is undertaken. In the Shvetambaras an 8-day festival is celebrated that ends with Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. The last day is called Samvatsari.

During the 8-day Paryushana festival, the Kalpa Sutra is recited in the Swetmbara sect, that includes a recitation of the section on birth of Lord Mahavira on the fifth day.  In the Digambara sect the Tatvartha-Sutra.  On the dashami, the sugandha-dashami vrata occurs. The Digambaras celebrate Ananta-chaturdashi on the chaturdashi, special worship is done on this day.  Many towns have a procession leading to the main temple.

Pawan Kr. Jain
Jyotish and Vastu Consultant Jyotish Praveena, Jyotish Visharada, PGCQMHC, MLISc, BLISc, B.Com, Lib.(Auto. IT), e-Lib, Phone No. +91 - 9868886621 (M) www.libraryanalyst.blogspot.com www.pawankrjain.blogspot.com