Samvatsari and Kshamavani: Asking Forgiveness of Our Ancestors

Vandan at the feet of the revered Guru Bhagwants. To every sadharmik brother and shravika sister, from the depth of the heart: Michhami Dukkadam. Uttam Kshama.

For any hurt I caused this year - by mind, speech or body; done, caused or approved; knowingly or unknowingly - for all of it, my Michhami Dukkadam. And for whatever aradhana anyone did this year - tapa, japa, seva, or quietly running the kitchen so that someone else could fast - for all of it, heartfelt anumodana.

But there is one door we never knock on.

Our ancestors.

Those whose names are no longer on any plaque. Who went hungry through years of famine and kept the Agamas alive by memory. Who tied bundles of palm-leaf manuscripts to their chests and walked out of burning towns. Who watched a temple fall, and the next morning laid a foundation stone again. Some left their homes, some their trade, some their lives - but none left the Dharma.

They stood in the fire so that we could have shade.

And we, sitting in that shade, could not even keep their count.

This is not a day for counting faults. It is a day for acceptance. And the acceptance is this - it was pramad, negligence. We took our identity lightly. Those who saved us, we let vanish on paper.

So today, in the very language of Pratikraman, one kshamapana for them too -

Puvvapurisehim dhammo rakkhio, amham samappio. Our ancestors protected the Dharma, and entrusted it to us.

Tesim gananae jam mae pamao kao - janaya va ajanaya va - tassa michhami dukkadam. Whatever negligence I showed in their count - knowingly or unknowingly - for that, michhami dukkadam.

Mitti me savvabhuesu, veram majjham na kenai. Friendship with all beings, enmity with none.

Forgiveness is complete only when a resolve stands beside it.

We sit in different traditions. Different dates, different rituals, different words. But on the day someone comes to count us, they will write one word - Jain.

So today, with Dev, Guru and Dharma as witness, this vow -

"I will ensure that my family, my mother's family and my father's family are counted correctly. In the religion column, I will have only 'Jain' written. For the lapse until now - Michhami Dukkadam. It will not happen again."

So that the generations to come can say - we were here, and we were counted right.

Let Every Jain Count

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