Answer

10 Lakshan Parv, also called Das Lakshan Parva, is an important Jain festival mainly observed in the Digambar Jain tradition. It is a period of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, forgiveness, fasting, study, and inner purification.

During this parv, Jains focus on the ten supreme virtues of the soul.

The Ten Lakshans

The ten virtues are:

• Uttam Kshama – Supreme forgiveness
• Uttam Mardav – Supreme humility
• Uttam Aarjav – Supreme straightforwardness
• Uttam Shauch – Supreme purity or contentment
• Uttam Satya – Supreme truthfulness
• Uttam Sanyam – Supreme self-restraint
• Uttam Tap – Supreme austerity
• Uttam Tyag – Supreme renunciation
• Uttam Akinchanya – Supreme non-attachment
• Uttam Brahmacharya – Supreme celibacy or purity of conduct

Explanation

Each day of the festival is dedicated to one virtue. Devotees try to understand that virtue deeply and practice it in daily life through:

• Forgiveness and reducing anger
• Fasting or other tapasya
• Swadhyay, or scriptural study
• Pratikraman and self-reflection
• Charity and simplicity
• Control over speech, thoughts, and desires

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, the soul is naturally full of infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy. But karmas cover these qualities. The ten lakshans help a person reduce passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed, and move closer to the pure nature of the soul.

This parv is not only about outer rituals, but mainly about inner transformation.

Takeaway

10 Lakshan Parv teaches that true religion is the purification of the soul through forgiveness, humility, truth, restraint, austerity, renunciation, non-attachment, and purity.