ક્ષમાપના ~ Forgiveness

This year many are celebrating Samvatsari on separate date & mine is due on 19.09.2012 but as this holy festival is round the corner, thoughts are just pouring in which I am just trying to jolt it down.

As humans we tend to have some or the other feel of grievances, hatred, enmity, jealousy etc towards others. Slowly & gradually this ill feelings give rise to feelings of revenge which ultimately is a destructive process & infact leads to nothing but imbalance of relations, mental strains, growth of hatred etc.

Hence we have been shown the path to FORGIVE so that we forgive others & ask for forgiveness from those people whom we have done wrong. Infact why asking forgiveness to just human's but to all living beings, each & every Jeev & thats why Shashtrakar's say:

SAVVASS  JIVRASHISS BHAVO DHAMNIHIAA NIA CHITTO
SAVVAM KHAMAVAITA KHAMEMI SAVVASS AHYAMPI

which means that we should truly ask forgiveness from all soul's with folded hands bowed head & getting "Dharm Bhaav" in our heart so that not a single soul is left. We all commit mistakes but very few ask for forgiveness but it is also clearly said "TO ERR IS HUMAN, BUT TO FORGIVE IS DIVINE".

But we should understand that just saying MICHCHHAMI DUKKADAM doesnt lead us anywhere if we dont wish to take this "dravya kshama" to the class of "bhaav kshama". Really I too do feel that asking for forgiveness can be done but really forgiving someone needs courage.

Infact it wont be wrong to say that FORGIVENESS (ક્ષમા) is sister of COMPASSION (કરુણા) & daughter of NON-VIOLENCE (અહિંસા) & thats why one who forgives is said to be courageous & a real hero by saying:

KSHAMA VIRASYA BHUSANAM,

KSHAMA TEJASVINAM GUN,

KSHAMA RUPAM TAPASVINAM

I would like to quote SHRUTKEVALI SHRI BHADRA BAHU's sayings:

JO UVASAMEI TASS ATTHI AARAHNA

JO NA UVASAMEI TASS NATTHI AARAHNA

TAMHA APPANA CHHEV UVVASMIYAVYAM

It means that without asking & giving forgiveness, no religious or spiritual studies/conducts etc can be said to be complete. One who wants to build the temple of Worship, shall have to bring Forgiveness in Foundation itself. One who gives & takes forgiveness doesnt fall anywhere but rises in conduct.

BUT IS ASKING FORGIVENESS COMPLETES THE TASK??

NO. While saying Michchhami Dukkadam, we all say "KHAMEMI SAVVE JIVA, SAVVE JIVA KHAMANTU ME, MITTI ME SAVVA BHUVESU, VERAM MAJJHAM NA KENAI" which means & adds that AFTER SEEKING & GRANTING FORGIVENESS, WE SHOULD BE FRIENDLY TOWARDS THEM TOO.

Hope the above brings a light to not just forgive & get forgiven but ALSO TO BUILD A HEALTHY BOND OF FRIENDSHIP leading to love peace & harmony.

MICHCHHAMI DUKKADAM if anyone is hurt cause of above & if anything is said against Jin Vaani & Jin Aagya.

-Samir Doshi