Paryushan is needed because it is a focused time for self‑purification and returning to the core of Jain life: Ahimsa, self‑discipline, and forgiveness. In everyday life we accumulate passions and karmas; Paryushan creates the conditions to stop new karmas (samvar) and shed old ones (nirjara).

• Purpose

- Renew right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct. - Reduce anger, ego, deceit, and greed through tapas (austerities), pratikraman, and forgiveness. - Cultivate compassion (daya) and non‑violence in thoughts, words, and actions. - Make amends with all beings through Kshamapana/Michhami Dukkadam.

• What we actually do

- Daily samayik, pratikraman, swadhyaya (scripture study), and kayotsarga. - Fasting and food restraints to discipline the senses. - Charity and carefulness (samiti) to minimize himsa. - Seeking and granting forgiveness on the concluding day.

• Traditions

- Shvetambar: Paryushan Parva is observed for 8 days, with Kalpasutra readings and Samvatsari (the grand pratikraman and universal forgiveness) on the last day. - Digambar: Das Lakshan Parva is observed for 10 days, each day devoted to one of the Ten Virtues (uttam kshama, mardava, arjava, shauch, satya, sanyam, tapa, tyag, akinchanya, brahmacharya).

• Why it matters today

- It softens relationships through forgiveness. - It resets habits toward simplicity and restraint. - It strengthens inner peace by reducing attachments and aversions. - It brings the community together for collective uplift.

In short, Paryushan is needed to clean the inner self, stabilize our conduct in non‑violence and truth, and progress on the path to liberation. Michhami Dukkadam to all.