“To err is human, to forgive Divine,” said Alexander Pope and is a famous saying. There is a beautiful concept in the Jain community of celebrating the last day of “Parva Paryushana” as the “Day of forgiving”. This day is known as “Micchami Dukkadam”.
Forgiveness is a Divine Virtue extolled, taught and preached by all religions.
“Forgiveness is virtue. Forgiveness is sacrifice. Forgiveness is the Vedas, forgiveness is Shruti.” (Aranya Parva Hinduism)
“If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly father will also forgive you” – (Bible Mathew 6:14)
“Hatred leaves a lasting effect on our karma (“actions”) and forgiveness creates emotions with a wholesome effect.” – (Gautam Buddha)
“The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto, but if a person forgives and makes peace, his reward rests with God, for God loves not those who do wrong.” – (The Holy Qur’ān 42:40)
“Good and Evil can never be equal. Repel (evil) with that which is better, and see how then, someone between whom and you was enmity shall become a true friend. Yet none is given such goodness except those who are patient. None is given this but the most fortunate.” – (The Holy Qur’ān 41:34-35)
“Whoever suffers an injury and forgives (the person responsible), Allah will raise his status to a higher degree and forgive his sins.” (a saying of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)
In the present scenario, where hatred and enmity is instigated and revenge encouraged for political gains, let us all follow our religion in its true spirit and practise Love and Forgiveness in our individual and collective lives. This will bring peace, happiness and prosperity in our lives, as well as in the life of the nation.
Fortunately, an overwhelming majority of the people of all communities in our country are peace-loving. In fact, this is what inspires us to resolve to make conscious efforts, however small they may be to change the environment of confrontation and hatred, and assure a safe, Peaceful and Harmonious Future for our coming generations and at the same time progress and prosperity of our nation.