Answer

Paryushan is followed in Jain Dharma for self-purification, forgiveness, repentance, and spiritual upliftment.

It is one of the most important Jain festivals because it reminds us to turn inward, reduce worldly attachments, practice discipline, and purify the soul.

Explanation

During Paryushan, Jains focus on:

• Ahimsa – being more careful not to hurt any living being
• Tapasya – fasting and self-control
• Pratikraman – repentance for mistakes and sins
• Swadhyay – study of Jain scriptures and teachings
• Kshamapana – asking forgiveness from all beings
• Reducing attachments – staying away from anger, ego, greed, and deceit

The main purpose is not only fasting, but cleansing the soul from karmas through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, the soul becomes bound by karma because of passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed. Paryushan gives us a special opportunity to stop new karmas and shed old karmas through discipline, repentance, and forgiveness.

At the end of Paryushan, Jains say:

Michhami Dukkadam

This means: “If I have hurt you knowingly or unknowingly, by thoughts, words, or actions, please forgive me.”

Takeaway

Paryushan is followed to become more peaceful, humble, forgiving, and spiritually pure. It is a sacred time to come closer to the true nature of the soul.