August 24, 2009 : I observed a fast on Samvatsari like every year. My sis, cousin and I were sitting idle at home watching Love Aaj Kal which was about Love of the past and Love in 2009 when I decided why not write a blog on Samvatsari Aaj Kal becasue so much has changed in the manner in which Samvatsari is spent. So here I go......
Samvatsari is the last day of Paryusana(or colloquially Pajushana) - the eight or ten day festival of Jains the day on which Jains observe a complete fast. The whole day was spent in prayers and contemplation. A yearly elaborate penitential retreat called samvatsati pratikramana was performed on this day. After the pratikramana Jains seeked forgiveness from all the creatures of the world whom they may have harmed knowingly or unknowingly by uttering the phrase— Micchami Dukkadam. As a matter of ritual, Jains personally greeted friends and relatives Micchami Dukkadam.
Samvatsari Aaj -
Cut to 2009. Samvatsari is the last day of Paryusana(colloquially Pajushana) - the eight or ten day festival of Jains the day on which Jains are supposed to observe a complete fast. As a matter of fact many don't observe a fast and instead observe an ekyashana (eat once in a day) and so many others don't even bother to observe ekyashana. The whole day is spent watching tv, movies, chatting with family and friends and waiting for next morning when we can finally eat/drink. This is the story of most of us, exceptions being elderly and religiously inclined people who spent the day in prayer and perform samvatsati pratikramana like my Grandma. After the day is spent doing nothing we go off to sleep to get up exactly at sunrise(sometimes even earlier) to break the fast and then we eat to our heart's content. The fun part is normally we might never get up this early but then the empty stomach can do wonders :D As a matter of ritual, we still personally greet friends and relatives Micchami Dukkadam and/or Khamat Khamna but the personally usually means sms/phone calls instead of personal visits of yesteryears.
I am no staunch follower to question what is right and what is wrong in Samvatsari Aaj..but what the heck of a difference in Aaj and Kal !!! and yeah...if i have knowingly or unknowingly hurt you or your feelings by this blog...Khamat Khamna !!!
