2. Seeking Forgiveness 08.

Today is the day which comes once in a year according to Jainism tradition. This is the day when one seeks forgiveness for any damage done during the entire year.

Is the damage done every year with every one I come in touch with? Or does it happens only with some? If with some, does it happen occasionally, regularly, frequently or daily? Is the damage redundant? Does the same type of damage happen again and again? If so, why? Do I always possess a feeling at the subconscious level that – Let the damage happen; I will seek forgiveness at the end of year. Anyhow, I have to seek forgiveness as it is a part of tradition and looks good too as all follow the same. Is this the thought process?

What happens after seeking forgiveness? Do I feel light and cheerful? Why so? Is it because I get my license renewed? Is there an end to all this? Will there be a year at the end of which there won’t be any need to seek forgiveness from anyone? Forget year, will there be such a month, a week, a day, an hour, a minute or a second?

One of the great maxims to ask for forgiveness with the unity of the body, speech and mind:
KHAAMEMI SAVVE JEEVA (I grant forgiveness to all living beings)
SAVVE JEEVA KHAMANTU ME (May all living beings grant me forgiveness)
METTI ME SAVVE BHUYESU (My friendship is with all living beings)
VAIRAM MAJHAM NA KENAI (My enmity is totally non-existent)

To start with, I grant forgiveness to all living beings. Hey, am I eligible to forgive anyone? Am I just a fault-finder? Am I not responsible for anything and everything that happens in my life? Am I not eating the food which I have cooked (although some one else might be serving)? Am I such a naïve to blame the one who just serves me?

If something occurs due to a natural calamity, I blame God. If I am hurt by any artificial calamity, I blame Government, Society, Family, Friends and whosoever I can think of. All ‘good’ things (things fulfilling my expectations are ‘good’) are done by me and all the evil (opposite of good) phases are either destined or blamed on some one. Is this a fair perception?

I seek forgiveness with all my friends, relatives, near-dear ones with a broad smile on my face. What about those whom I have been really wicked with? Am I gonna call them and build a bridge or let the wall remain?

Nonetheless, this process will go on and on but now it’s time to follow the tradition. I seek forgiveness for any damage I may have done, whether by my actions, speech or by my thoughts that hurt you in any way. Please forgive me for my incompleteness.