Paryushan is one such Parva (festival), where we try to reach within our soul and take the time to cleanse it through Tapa (penance), Prayaschit (repentance) and asking for forgiveness. It is a Parva that has the capability to have an ever-lasting impact on our soul unlike the momentary pleasures.

During Paryushan, one focusses on eliminating Kashayas (passions) such as anger, ego, greed, and deceit, and building good virtues.

Let’s take an example of Basketball. One cannot just go to the game and win it.

Before the game begins, you prepare a strategy for the game.  Next you go through pre-game routine like dribbling, passing, shooting and hustling to warm-up for the game.

Same way think of Paryushan days 1 through 7 as pre-game routine leading to the final day of Samvatsari where we ask for forgiveness for all our mistakes committed in the past.

In order to do this, first we need to compile a confession list. Recollect all the deeds through the year and prepare a list of deeds that we may have done in the past for which we would like to seek forgiveness.