Coming together to forgive and heal (2 of 2)

For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman, the annual confession. The ritual of asking forgiveness from the teacher is widened in scope to include family and friends and, finally, all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also granting forgiveness to all.

This ritual of forgiveness is sometimes called the rite of “universal friendship”. The spirit of the day is contained in this verse: “I grant forgiveness to all living beings, May all living beings grant me forgiveness; My friendship is with all living beings, My enmity is totally non-existent. Let there be peace, harmony and prosperity for all”.

One cannot consume any fruits or even a grain during the fasting period or upvaas, informs Nun Mallipragya. Wouldn’t it be difficult to remain without eating any food? Divya Mehta, who has fasted for 31 days at a stretch, says: “We live in a sea of energy. Our bodies gain energy indirectly from the food we eat, while we gain direct energy from the cosmic energy that flows into us through the medulla oblongata at the bottom of the brain. But this kind of acceptance of energy depends upon our mental set-up. The greater the will, the greater would be the flow of energy.”

Penance is given high importance to purify one’s soul. In the time cycle, Lord Rishabh started the penance for one year at a stretch. The same tradition is followed even today. During the process of penance, all the accumulated toxins in the cells of the body over a period of time start to melt away.

Since the body’s energies are concentrated in cleaning and detoxification during the fasting process, rest becomes a necessary adjunct. The body parts are recharged and relaxed. This minimizes physical ailments, increases strength and keeps body, mind and the hormonal balance intact. – The Times of India

The writer is a Law student at the University of Mumbai.