Micchami Dukkadam
Encyclopedia
is an ancient Prakrit
phrase literally meaning — may all the evil that has been done be fruitless. It is especially used on the Kshamavani Diwas or Forgiveness Day, celebrated on Samvatsari
, the concluding day of the eight-day Paryushana
festival, one of the main festivals of the Jain community, on Chaturthi
4th day during the Shukla Paksha (waxing lunar phase) of the Bhadrapada month. On this day, the Sravakas (disciples) and lay people request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year. The phrase is also used when a person commits a mistake, or recollects committing it in every day life or said when asking for forgiveness in advance for inadvertent ones.
language, a vernacular
Indo-Aryan language, closely linked with Pali
and used abundantly in Prakrit canon of the Jainism
. The Sanskrit
version of the phrase is mithya me dushkritaam meaning "may the evil of it be in vain". or simply put "May my misdeeds be undone."
seek forgiveness from all the creatures of the world whom they may have harmed knowingly or unknowingly by uttering the phrase—michchhāmi dukkaḍaṃ. As a matter of ritual, during Samvatsari
—the last day of Jain festival paryusana—Jains utter the phrase— Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ after pratikraman
. Paryusana falls during chaturmas
, four month in the rainy season, reserved on yearly pratikarmana, introspection, penance and fasting, when even the wandering monks temporarily abandon their wandering life and settle down amidst the householders, giving discourses and scriptural recitations are organized.
As a matter of ritual, they personally greet their friends and relatives Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ seeking their forgiveness. Forgiveness is asked by telling "Michchhami Dukkadam" to each other. It means "If I have caused you offence in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness". No private quarrel or dispute may be carried beyond Samvatsari, and traditionally, letters have been sent and telephone calls made to friends and relatives asking their forgiveness.
Prakrit
Prakrit is the name for a group of Middle Indic, Indo-Aryan languages, derived from Old Indic dialects. The word itself has a flexible definition, being defined sometimes as, "original, natural, artless, normal, ordinary, usual", or "vernacular", in contrast to the literary and religious...
phrase literally meaning — may all the evil that has been done be fruitless. It is especially used on the Kshamavani Diwas or Forgiveness Day, celebrated on Samvatsari
Samvatsari
Samvatsari is the last day of Paryushana —the eight or ten day festival of Jainism. It is the holiest day of the Jain calendar. Many Jains observe a complete fast on this day. The whole day is spent in prayers and contemplation. A yearly, elaborate penitential retreat called samvatsati...
, the concluding day of the eight-day Paryushana
Paryushana
Paryushana is one of the two most important festivals for the Jains, the other being Diwali. Normally Svetambara Jains refer it as Paryushana, while Digambara Jains refer it as Daslaksana. Paryushan means, literally, "abiding" or "coming together"...
festival, one of the main festivals of the Jain community, on Chaturthi
Chaturthi
Chaturthi or Chaviti , is the fourth day of any lunar month in the Hindu calendar.-Festivals of Chaturthi:* Ganesh Chaturthi is one of prominent Chaturthi on which Lord Ganesha makes his presence on the earth....
4th day during the Shukla Paksha (waxing lunar phase) of the Bhadrapada month. On this day, the Sravakas (disciples) and lay people request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year. The phrase is also used when a person commits a mistake, or recollects committing it in every day life or said when asking for forgiveness in advance for inadvertent ones.
Etymology
Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ, the phrase also found in phrase is found in the Airyapathiki Sutra , literally means — may all the evil that has been done be fruitless, and comes from PrakritPrakrit
Prakrit is the name for a group of Middle Indic, Indo-Aryan languages, derived from Old Indic dialects. The word itself has a flexible definition, being defined sometimes as, "original, natural, artless, normal, ordinary, usual", or "vernacular", in contrast to the literary and religious...
language, a vernacular
Vernacular
A vernacular is the native language or native dialect of a specific population, as opposed to a language of wider communication that is not native to the population, such as a national language or lingua franca.- Etymology :The term is not a recent one...
Indo-Aryan language, closely linked with Pali
Páli
- External links :* *...
and used abundantly in Prakrit canon of the Jainism
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
. The Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
version of the phrase is mithya me dushkritaam meaning "may the evil of it be in vain". or simply put "May my misdeeds be undone."
Overview
After the pratikramana (Jain prayer, literally "introspection"), JainsJainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
seek forgiveness from all the creatures of the world whom they may have harmed knowingly or unknowingly by uttering the phrase—michchhāmi dukkaḍaṃ. As a matter of ritual, during Samvatsari
Samvatsari
Samvatsari is the last day of Paryushana —the eight or ten day festival of Jainism. It is the holiest day of the Jain calendar. Many Jains observe a complete fast on this day. The whole day is spent in prayers and contemplation. A yearly, elaborate penitential retreat called samvatsati...
—the last day of Jain festival paryusana—Jains utter the phrase— Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ after pratikraman
Pratikraman
Pratikraman , is a process of repentance of sins during which Jains repent for their wrongdoings during their daily life, and remind themselves to refrain from doing so again...
. Paryusana falls during chaturmas
Chaturmas
Chaturmas is a holy period of four months , beginning on Shayani Ekadashi—the eleventh day of the first bright half, Shukla paksha, of Ashadh —until Prabodhini Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the first bright half of Kartik in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.Chaturmas is reserved the...
, four month in the rainy season, reserved on yearly pratikarmana, introspection, penance and fasting, when even the wandering monks temporarily abandon their wandering life and settle down amidst the householders, giving discourses and scriptural recitations are organized.
As a matter of ritual, they personally greet their friends and relatives Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṃ seeking their forgiveness. Forgiveness is asked by telling "Michchhami Dukkadam" to each other. It means "If I have caused you offence in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness". No private quarrel or dispute may be carried beyond Samvatsari, and traditionally, letters have been sent and telephone calls made to friends and relatives asking their forgiveness.