Can you forgive and forget?

Paryushan, the single most important festival for the Jains just ended. The last day ends with "pratrikraman" - a ritual in which our holy hymns/sutras/shlokas are recited abundantly. It apparantly is a process of absolving our sins by self realization and honest remorse. With this, we ask our family, friends and all aquaintances for forgiveness. Michhami Dukkadam - which truly means "I ask for your forgiveness for any hurt that I caused you intentionally or unintentionally" - becomes a form of greeting for the next few days.

 

Now, the moot question that is hovering on my mind is "Can you hold a grudge against someone till the end of time?" or eventually, you do tend to "forget and forgive." Yes, forget and forgive is the godly way to live your life. But can you truly adhere to it? Especially, if the person against whom you hold your anger, commited the deed well-intended, perhaps fully aware that you will be hurt.

 

I suppose we mortals are capable of forgiving those whose acts were pure accidental, not intended to cause any harm. But what about the other "species" whose contriving minds had every purpose to hurt you. Can you forgive them? I believe that your resentment, your anger, your hostility does tend to wither with time. The intensity does tend to narrow with time. And as they say, time heals all wounds, I will say, time heals resentment too. I might be capable of forgiving someone in some time, but to forget is what makes me think. I suppose, forgiving is far easier than forgetting. Forgetting would compound to be an act of godliness which is very rarely found amongst us. And if it were, then we would all be saints.

 

With this, Michhami Dukkadam to my family, friends and acquaintances. If it lies in your heart to forgive me for my sins, I humbly bow down to you. If not, my sins won't go unpaid in this cosmic cycle of karma, so don't bother worrying about it too much. Afterall, stress is not good for health.