The Pious Paryushan Parva 2018

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Paryushan Parva considered the monarch of all Jain festivals, presents seekers an invaluable opportunity to rise in divine love and engineer inner transformation. This year the enthused festivities were held from Thursday, 6th September to Thursday, 13th September at Yogi Sabhagruh in Mumbai.

Mornings commenced with the auspicious Snatra Puja, where devotees of all ages, participated in this hallowed ceremony celebrating the sacred Chyavan and Janma Kalyanak of Tirthankar Bhagwan. The audience were engulfed in the gaiety of the ceremony and partook it with great excitement. Soulful pakshal pujan, devotional nrutyabhakti, vibrant ghauli designs, chanting the revered Lord’s name and a devotional Arti along with Pujya Gurudevshri filled everyone with sheer positivity and joy.

This was followed by Pujya Gurudevshri’s insightful discourses on Patrank 454 from Shrimad Rajchandra Vachanamrutji. The epic letter penned by Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandraji was addressed to Bhakt Ratna Pujyashri Ambalalbhai and contains the keys to liberation for seekers on the spiritual path. It urges true seekers to appreciate profusely even the most minute virtues in others, while putting in sincerest efforts to rid oneself of the tiniest of faults. Seekers enthusiastically memorised lines of the Patrank as an offering of gratitude towards the Master.

Evenings commenced with heartfelt Devvandan and Kshamapna followed by devotional bhakti. Pujya Gurudevshri’s enlightening elucidation on the powerful ‘Vairagyopdesh’ Adhikar of Shri Adhyatmakalpadrum, inspired virtues of dispassion and detachment among devotees. It also awakened the seeker with the grim reminder that death is the only constant and thus spiritual work must be the primary focus of the the one who wants liberation.

The fifth day of Paryushan is celebrated as Mahavir Jayanti. This auspicious occasion was used for the special launch of a book containing the compilation of Late Pujyashri Bhanuvijayji Maharajsaheb’s (Founder – Sarvamangalam Ashram, Sagodia) discourses on Shrimad Rajchandraji’s poetic composition ‘Apurva Avsar.’ Shri Jagdishbhai Vora, managing trustee, Sarvamangalam Ashram, Sagodia gave a befitting eulogy for his Sadguru. Pujya Gurudevshri also expressed His deep respect for the late saint through a heartfelt talk.

The magnificent celebrations saw compositions singing the glory of the Lord being sung melodiously by Shri Prashant Shah and his troupe. The entire gathering was immersed in exuberant nrutyabhakti towards the Lord and the energy was electrifying.

Drenched in devotion and willing to experience purification seekers amassed with great determination on the final day of Paryushan, Samvatsari. The pious occasion included a heartfelt rendition of Shri Kumarpal Rajani Atmaninda featuring a touching narration by Atmarpit Maulikji after each stanza, adding greater depth to the alochana. A glorious arti was performed at the end.

With tears in their eyes and a hope of redemption in their hearts seekers humbly folded their hands and sought forgiveness from their Divine Master, as He compassionately walked to every level of the hall, blessing all present. The Master bid adieu to seekers with two thumbs up signalling His best wishes for everyone’s spiritual progress.

The morning after Samvatsari, the joyous spirit continued with a beautiful parna celebration for tapasvis. By the grace of Param Krupalu Dev and Pujya Gurudevshri, this four-month period of chaturmaas saw 116 mumukshus performing various austerities ranging from 21 fasts, Athai and Kshirsamudra, 54 among them being youngsters.

Tapasvis danced enthusiastically, expressing their love towards the Master. Inculcating lifelong values of penance as a way to shed karmas, the Master lovingly fed each tapasvi.

On the occasion of Paryushan, Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care rescued 501 animals from slaughterhouses and reinstated them into panjarapoles. This year, pravachans and several programmes of the Paryushan Parva were shown live on the Soham TV channel in the mornings and Arihant channel in the evenings. The programmes were also webcast live on the YouTube channel, as well.

Elevated by the teachings of the Enlightened Beings, brimming with renewed determination, humbled in forgiveness and sealed in faith towards the beloved Master, devotees received a great surge of confidence to move forward on their inward journey. The 8 blissful days spent in the presence of the Sadguru fuelled the spiritual quest of multitudes of seekers across the globe bound together by the common goal of self realisation.