Do you know what is Michhami Dukkadam?
Michhami Dukkadam is a word from Ardhamagadhi, a Prakrit language derived from Sanskrit, which was used by Bgahgwan Mahavir to deliver His spiritual discourses.
The phrase Michhami Dukkadam literally translates to ‘Mithya Me Dushkrutam,’ which means, May all my wrongdoings be nullified. In essence, these words express a profound prayer: “May every kind of negative action or hurt I have caused, be dissolved and made fruitless.”
The beautiful thing here is that the phrase actually includes many actions as wrong doings which we may do with or without our knowledge!
It includes any action that causes even the slightest bit of pain or suffering to any living being; for all such actions, practicing pratikraman (to confess, apologize and resolve not to repeat a mistake) is absolutely essential.
The basic essence of asking for forgiveness means that you MUST not KNOWINGLY do a mistake again otherwise it has no value!
So whatever mistakes we may have done with or without our knowledge needs to be first acknowledged and then you must ask for forgiveness with a clean mind and heart! Only then your forgiveness will be true and be granted!
Also do note that you must also try to forgive others too who have knowingly or unknowingly wronged you! Only then your “Michhami Dukkadam” will be accepted!
Furthermore, it also applies to occupations that involve unavoidable, direct harm to living beings such as trading in agriculture or groceries, where insects and tiny organisms are inadvertently harmed.
In this philosophy is has been said that even if we have no desire to do it but are forced to fulfill it as a duty, we should never take pleasure in it.
Instead, we must practice pratikraman and pray, “Oh Lord! Why did this task fall to my lot? I deeply regret it.”
Which means that “Michhami Dukkadam” is not just a greeting to be causally passed around once a year on Samvatsari (annual pratikraman ceremony), like wishing someone a Happy New Year.
Instead, these words are meant for recalling our mistakes and expressing genuine repentance for them. That very repentance is the essence of the pratikraman performed on the day of Samvatsari which is today!
When someone wishes you with this phrase then you can wish back with “Micchami Dukkadam” as well, or say “Khamat Khamna,” which means “I forgive you”!
Today is also the engineers day which is of course in honour of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya!
God bless one and all the forgive you for your mistakes…
Shubh ratri…
ramadocblog 