पारिवारिक संबंध — Bhaktamar

The context of family relations

The Jain tradition locates discord in the family in the passions — anger, pride, deceit and greed. Relations are not repaired from outside; when the passions weaken, conduct changes of itself. That is why asking and granting forgiveness holds so central a place.

Saying michchhami dukkadam on Samvatsari is the annual form of this, and the tradition holds that one should go oneself to the person with whom there is enmity.

How these were selected

Gathered here are the verses in which refuge, shelter and gentleness predominate — where the tone of the praise is soft and surrender takes the place of contention.

There is also a tradition of reciting together as a family; sitting down to recite in company is itself an exercise in closeness.

8 verses

• Verse 21मन्ये वरं हरिहरादय एव दृष्टा
• Verse 22स्त्रीणां शतानि शतशो जनयन्ति पुत्रान्,
• Verse 23त्वामामनन्ति मुनयः परमं पुमांस-
• Verse 24त्वामव्ययं विभुमचिन्त्यमसंख्यमाद्यं
• Verse 25बुद्धस्त्वमेव विबुधार्चितबुद्धि-बोधात्
• Verse 26तुभ्यं नमस्त्रिभुवनार्तिहराय नाथ!
• Verse 27को विस्मयोऽत्र यदि नाम गुणैरशेषैः
• Verse 28उच्चैरशोकतरुसंश्रितमुन्मयूख-

How the reading is done

The tradition mentions reciting in the evening, seated with the family, and holding an attitude of forgiveness afterwards.

It is also said that recitation must be accompanied by a change in conduct — reading alone does not mend a relationship.