Samvatsari Pratikraman

Samvatsari is the last day of the Jain festival of Paryushan. It is the day, where one asks for forgiveness by doing Pratikraman for their wrongdoings.

But what is Pratikraman? Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan says, “Pratikraman (asking for forgiveness) means to destroy inner enemies of anger, false pride, greed, and illusionary conduct.”

But how does one go about destroying these inner enemies? He explains, “You have to recall the pure Soul within ‘Chandulal’ (the person you have wronged). The Soul which is completely separate from the union of the mind, body and speech, bhaav-karma, dravya-karma, no-karma; his and all attachment related to him and say, ‘Dear Shuddhatma Bhagwan (Lord; the pure Soul)! I ask for forgiveness for the mistake of raising my voice [for example]. I am making a strong resolution not to repeat that mistake again, so give me the energy (shakti) to do so.’ When you recall Dada or the Shuddhatma and admit your mistake, it is called alochana. Pratikraman is to apologize for that mistake and making a resolve not to repeat it is pratyakhyan. When you harm or hurt any living being, it is considered atikraman and for that you have to do alochana, pratikraman and pratyakhyan, immediately.”