Samvatsari

Saṃvatsarī (Sanskrit: संवत्सरी) (lit. Annual Day or fig. Forgiveness Day) is the last day of Paryushana Shwetambar sect of Jainism. It falls on Shukla Panchami each year in the Jain calendar month of Bhadrapada, somewhere between the middle of August and September in the Gregorian calendar.

Samvatsari
The Jain flag in India
Official name	Samvatsari Pajushan
Also called	Forgiveness Day
Observed by	Swetambar sect of Jains worldwide
Liturgical Color	White
Type	Cultural
Significance	Last day of Paryushan festival, on which Jains forgive and seek forgiveness from all living beings
Celebrations	1 day
Observances	Micchami Dukkadam (Asking for forgiveness), Pratikramana (Introspection)
Date	Bhadrapada Shukla Panchami
2020 date	August 23
Frequency	Annual
Related to	Paryushan, Kshamavaani

On this day, Jains forgive and seek forgiveness for their mistakes committed knowingly or unknowingly from all the living beings. A yearly, elaborate penitential retreat called "samvatsari pratikramana" is performed on this day. After the pratikramana, Jains seek forgiveness from all the creatures of the world, including friends and relatives by uttering the phrase — Micchami Dukkadam or its variants like "Khamau Sa", "Uttam Kshama" or "Khamat Khamna".

Etymology

Samvatsari is derived Sanskrit language. Samvatsara refers to a "year" in Vedic literature such as the Rigveda and other ancient texts.[1] Thus, Samvatsari literally refers to a day that comes annually.

Customs and Traditions

As a matter of ritual, they personally greet their friends and relatives Micchami Dukkadam. No private quarrel or dispute may be carried beyond Saṃvatsarī and messages, telephone calls are made to the outstation friends and relatives asking their forgiveness.[2]

Being the holiest day of the Jain calendar,[3][4] many Jains observe a complete fast on this day.

Samvatsari and Kshamavaani

While Samvatsari and Kshamavaani are typically associated with Shwetambar sect and Digambara respectively, there is no major difference between the two days and both are observed as Forgiveness Days. Rather, the two are usually used interchangeably.

However, a major difference between the two is that despite both Samvatsari and Kshamavaani falling on the last day of Paryushan, they are in fact two different days. This is because the Paryushan festival for the two sects itself commences on different dates and is of varying duration.

As a result, while Samvatsari is observed on Shukla Panchami of Bhadrapada month by the Shwetambars, the Digambaras celebrate it on the first day of Ashvin Krishna month of the lunar-based Jain calendar.

See also

• Paryushan
• Kshamavaani
• Forgiveness in Jainism
• Kshamavani

References

1. Bettina Bäumer; Kapila Vatsyayan (1992). Kalātattvakośa: A Lexicon of Fundamental Concepts of the Indian Arts. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 215–216. ISBN 978-81-208-1044-0.
2. Hastings, James (2003), Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics Part 10, Kessinger Publishing ISBN 978-0-7661-3682-3 p.876
3. Shah, Nathubhai (1998). Jainism: The World of Conquerors. Volume I and II. Sussex: Sussex Academy Press. ISBN 1-898723-30-3. p. 212
4. "Jains pray for peace, brotherhood". The Hindu. 13 September 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2009.