✨ “Paryushan is not just a festival, it is a journey within.”
Meaning of Paryushan
The word Paryushan comes from “pari” (all around) and “ushan” (to stay or to come closer). It signifies turning within, staying in self-reflection, and surrounding the soul with purity. For Jains, Paryushan is the holiest time of the year, a spiritual retreat where the soul is polished by repentance, forgiveness, and discipline.
Significance of Day 1
Day 1 marks the beginning of this eight-day spiritual journey. Just as the first step sets the pace of a long pilgrimage, today lays the foundation of inner discipline. By controlling our senses, limiting our desires, and focusing on prayers, we remind ourselves that the true wealth lies not outside, but within.
Daily Kriya (Everyday Practices)
During Paryushan, Jains follow a beautiful daily rhythm:
- Morning Pratikraman & Mandir Puja – cleansing of karmas, bowing before Tirthankaras, and reflecting upon mistakes.
- Vyakhyan (Spiritual Discourses) – listening to monks & scriptures for inner wisdom.
- Dev Vandan – devotion and prayers to deities with gratitude.
- Evening Pratikraman – closing the day with repentance and self-check.
These kriyas remain constant across all eight days, weaving discipline into the festival.
Tapasya (Austerities)
Day 1 inspires us to take vows of self-control. Some choose fasting (upvas, ekashna, biyashna) while others limit food intake, reduce indulgence, or control speech. Tapasya helps in breaking attachment to the body and realizing the power of the soul.
Do’s and Don’ts
✅ Begin the day with positivity, humility, and prayer.
✅ Read or listen to Jain scriptures, even for a few minutes.
✅ Keep the mind free from anger, ego, greed, or deceit.
✅ Take small steps in controlling desires – less food, less entertainment, more silence.
❌ Avoid harming even the smallest of living beings.
❌ Do not waste the day in arguments or negativity.
❌ Avoid gossip, excessive use of technology, or indulgence in material pleasures.
A Spiritual Reflection
Day 1 reminds us of a clean slate—an opportunity to restart, to live more consciously, to drop unnecessary burdens, and to walk closer to the soul’s purity. Just as a seed sown today becomes a tree tomorrow, the vows we take today will blossom into spiritual strength in the coming days.
🌼 “Every day of Paryushan is a chance to cleanse karmas. Day 1 is the door that opens this sacred path.” 🌼