Paryushan

Unlike every other festival, Paryushan is a time for self-discipline for merrymaking. No junk food but the satisfaction in daal roti is what this festival wants to build in us. These are the perfect eight days to pray and gain knowledge at home. This is a time one must stay at home to avoid killing animals that come out in the monsoon. This period should be used as a tool for detaching ourselves from worldly things. There are two modes to remove unnecessary things-mentally and physically. Negative thoughts should be sent where they belong: AWAY.

It is not just another one-week or one-day that happens often. And that is exactly the reason why our family members held a special Zoom Meeting to talk about the history and significance of Paryushan. To put a spotlight on the importance of this festival, it was Harshu mama and Nupur mami's idea to organize the meeting. Nana and Reteka masi were the ones to speak on the topic and part upon us the knowledge.

The first seven days are for self-reflection. On the eighth day, one must act on the reflection, by being compassionate and forgive anyone who asks for it. It is time to master the art of not keeping a heavy heart. Paryushan is also meant for you to ask for an apology from any individual you have wronged. That way, the whole eight days would end at a happy and balanced-from-both-sides note.

Some ways for kids to self-discipline in these days could be:-

• 1.      Refraining from junk food.
• 2.      Give half an hour every day to organize their toys.
• 3.      Make work/study schedules and follow.
• 4.      Waking up on time.
• 5.      Deep breathing or 5 to 10 minutes of yoga shall not be forgotten in this list.

I have another list for mental purification:-

• 1.      When a sibling takes your stuff or breaks your toy, forgive him/her.
• 2.      It is always good to let go of grudges.
• 3.      Giving old clothes is not only compassion but also detachment.
• 4.      Reaching the cause of your depression and uproot it.
• 5.      Forget disturbing memories.
• 6.      Remove an emotional attachment from things like money.

Because of the Zoom meeting, I decided to do some self-reflection myself. When I first started thinking about something to change about myself, it was hard. I went through everything I thought about each day to every item I had. It took me quite a long journey. I was reminded, once again it is easier said than done. Eventually, I came to an agreement that would be distinct and practical. For my part, my clothes were really messed up in the cupboard, so I am going to fold them properly every time once a week. That way not only will I be able to select my clothes quicker but also my mountain of cloth-demons would haunt me no longer.

Paryushan is the most important festival for Jains. You could sooner convince a river to divert from its course than stop us from our 8-day purification. It is just like shutting all applications on a computer down and then opening it all refreshed. Compassion and asking for a heartfelt apology are milestones on the path of wisdom. And thus, Paryushan is the time of the year, one can not only clear him/herself but also become wiser.

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