Analysis and Meaning of Samvatsari Pratikraman

Analysis and Meaning of Samvatsari Pratikraman

Table of Content

1. Reasons for the presentation & Goals

2. Generic Meaning of Pratikraman

3. Types of Pratikramans

4. Different Formats/Traditions

5. Six Essentials

6. Macro Structure

7. Translation of frequently used Prakrit words

8. Observations

9. Acknowledgments

10.References

Introduction

• Reasons for the Presentation
• Performing any ritual without understanding its meaning has a very limited benefit.
• Awareness is the key to spiritual success.
• Goals
• To improve understanding of the Pratikraman Ritual at the macro level.
• To help improve one’s thought pattern and behavior

Generic Meaning of Pratikraman

It Means

• To Come Back
• To retreat from the worldly sins
• To get away from the tendency of Finding fault in others, criticizing others and to develop the habit of self analysis, self improvement, and introspection
• Repentance/atonement.

Types of Pratikramans

• Devsi(Evening)
• Raishi(Morning)
• Pakkhi (Fortnight)
• Chaumasi(4 mos.)
• Samvatsari (year)

Different Formats /Traditions

Pratikramans composed in Prakrit/Sanskrit/Gujarati/Hindi

DIGAMBAR TRADITION

KANJI SWAMI TRADITION

Shrimad Rajchandra Tradition

STHANKAVASI TRADITION

TERAPANTHI TRADITION

SWETETAMBER MURTIPUJAK TRADITION

Six Essentials

Samayik

A process to obtain serenity, tranquillity, and mental equanimity

Chauvvisantho

Offering our prayers to 24 Tirthankars

Vandana

Salutation to saints and monks to develop humility

Pratikraman

To repent the sins already committed and be careful that they are not repeated in the future

Kayotsarg

To be engrossed in the observation and analysis of one’s soul and forgetting one’s physical body

Pratyakhyan

To take a vow to abstain from certain activities

Macro Structure

Steps Before Beginning of Devsi

Procedure to initiate Samayik (7 Sutras)..1st Essential

Muhpatti & Guru Vandana (Salutation to Guru)

Pachkhhan (Vow not to drink and/or eat) ..2nd Essential

Chaityavandan (11 Sutras) Salutation to temples, idols, monks, tirthankars & siddhas

Namutthunam (Prayer by Indra, describes divine qualities of Arihantas)

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Pajushan – maha parva

Pajushan maha parva

Hello! to all the Jainis throughtout the world. Once again we are having pajushan maha parva which gives an opportunity and message to every human to enhance the quality of the life and to get nearer to the god. During these days we go temple and do fasting for MOKSHA.

But, I think with time we need to change a lot, when it comes to doing DHRAM or TAPSYA or certain rules and regulation of the jain dharm. Today, Doing dharm means fasting, not eating at night, not eating roots and performing prayers ( like samayik and pratikaman ) which is also good and extremely needed. But then what is the purpose of doing all this is forgotten with the time and that is the main concern.

We are focusing only on the procedure not on the purpose. Our religion i.e. JAININSM is actually based on three parameters 1. Sociology 2. Psychology3. Biology.

1. Sociology – All the prayers that we do or the mantra we chant, teaches us how to live our life.
2. Psychology- Fasting is introduced in any religion to teach human, how to control our thoughts and desires.
3. Biology – Certain rules, like we should not eat at night, should drink boiled water, should not eat junk food and roots, etc etc.

There is also need to represent our religion on the national level and serve the nation with the great capabilities that we have got in our blood.
Today, whether it is bureaucracy, politics, sports, etc. we have very negligible presence, which is not good and doesn’t serve purpose of being actual jain.

I think, today its a time and need to “make out of box” decisions for our self and our younger ones. we have to realize the true message of mahavir swamy.

Remember, HELPING HANDS ARE GREATER THEN PARYING LIPS