Context:
Paryushan 2023, a significant festival for the Jain community, was celebrated recently.
About Paryushan Parv:
- Celebrated by –
- Shwetambar Jains (8 days)
- Digambar Jains (10 days) – also call it Das Lakshan Parv.
- It is observed as the period of daily fasting, confession and inner reflection.
- Atthai Tap – Fasting for 8 days at a time.
- Jain monks read out the Kalpasutra, the most sacred scripture of the Jains.
- 5 main vows during this time – Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya, Aparigraha
- The festival ends with the celebration of Kshamavani (forgiveness day).
Forgiveness is asked by saying Micchami Dukkadam or Uttam Kshama to each other. ‘Micchami’ means to be fruitless (forgiven) and ‘Dukkadam’ means bad deeds.
- Samvatsari is the last day of Paryushan Parv marked by seeking of forgiveness.
- Ananth Chaurdsashi is the 10th day of Paryushan Parv and is observed as the day when Vasupujya (12th tirthankara) attained nirvana.
About Kalpasutra:
- Jain ancient text containing the biographies of the last 2 Jain Tirthankaras, Parshvanath and Mahavira.
- Adinath (or RishabhDev) and Neminath are two other Tirthankaras briefly mentioned in the text.
- Written by: Bhadrabahu I
Source: Times of India
Previous Year Question
With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:
1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Nettipakaraṇa is related to Buddhism’s Pali Canon. Hence, option 1 is not correct.
Parishishtaparvan was written by Hemachandra which describes the establishing Chandragupta’s connections with Jainism. Hence, option 2 is correct.
The Avadanashataka or “Century of Noble Deeds” is an anthology in Sanskrit which contains some collection of Buddhist narratives compiled from the second to fifth centuries CE. Hence, option 3 is not correct.
Trishashthilkshana Mahapurana is a major Jain text composed largely by Acharya Jinasena during the rule of Rashtrakuta. Hence, option 4 is correct.
