Michami Dukdam - two words which mean 'I ask for forgiveness for any words I might have said or any action, in past (this life or previous lives), knowingly or unknowingly, and which might have hurt other lives and also that I forgive other life forms for any words or actions which might have hurt me.'
(Forgiving someone is always more difficult than simply asking for forgiveness.)
Nowadays, however, Michami Dukdam has simply become a formality, that you say within a weeks time after Sanvatsari (last day of spiritual eight day Jain Festival, Paryushan) gets over. Its like replacing a Hello, or a Jay Jinendra or a Namaste with.. Michami Dukdam. Most people do not really mean it. That includes me.
I am pretty sure that hardly any person would say Michami Dukdam to people with whom they are not in talking terms because of some untoward incident in past. Well, isn't he/she the person to whom you should say it first?! and actually mean it! i.e. first forgive him in your heart, before asking for any forgiveness.
If you have a feeling that you have hurt someone in past, then please mention that incident, say it was your mistake and then ask for forgiveness. That is what makes the whole process effective and meaningful. That, I feel, is the true meaning of Michami Dukdam. Please for God's sake, it is not something like Good Evening or Good Night.
And finally, please do not wait for Sanvatsari to say Michami Dukdam to anyone you feel you must say it. You never know what might happen tomorrow. Don't carry that heavy weight of Guilt on your head for too long.
