What is 'Michhami Dukkadam?

Answer 1

Michchhami means to be fruitless (forgiven) and Dukkadam (Dushkrut) means bad deeds. Therefore the meaning of Michchhami Dukkadam is my bad deeds (with you) be fruitless. So concept behind saying or writing someone "Michchhami Dukkadam" is that if I have done any harm to you, then those bad deeds to be forgiven (be fruitless).

Those who are born in Jain families are familiar with the meaning and theme behind it. I have tried to expand its meaning and the scope which would make it more meaningful.

"I forgive (from the bottom of my heart without any reservation) all living beings (who may have caused me any pain and suffering either in this life or previous lives), and I beg (again from the bottom of my heart without any reservation) for the forgiveness from all living beings (no matter how small or big to whom I may have caused pain and suffering in this life or previous lives, knowingly or unknowingly, mentally, verbally or physically, or if I have asked or encouraged someone else to carry out such activities). (Let all creatures know that) I have a friendship with everybody and I have no revenge (animosity or enmity) toward anybody."

Why do we say "Michchhami Dukkadam"?

If we reflect back on ourselves we would realize that our mind is continuously busy either thinking on something which may be near to us or could even be as far away as the other end of the world, talking or doing physical activities. This thinking, our words or our physical activities would be reflection of our happiness, sorrow, anger, greed, jealousy, and egoism, etc. And, depending upon how we react to those, we attract various types of new karmas to our souls. No prudent person would like to attract bad karma and at certain stages any karma at all. It is not as easy as turning off a light switch but we have a choice to minimize our damage so that things would be more conducive for our social and spiritual uplift which should ultimately lead to salvation or liberation from this worldly life of any kind.
Michhami Dukkadam is a prakrit phrase meaning 'to be forgiven' or 'may all evil that has been done be forgiven'.

Jai Jinendra

On this auspicious occasion of Paryushan we wish you all Michhami Dukkadam!

We beg your forgiveness from inner of our hearts for whatever misdeeds or mis-behaviour whether knowingly or unknowingly occured by ourselves to you through mind, thoughts, actions or speech during the past year. Michchhami Dukkadam on the occasion of Savantsari Maha Parve

Kshamapana Sutra with Meaning

KHAAMEMI SAVVE JEEVA (I grant forgiveness to all living beings)

SAVVE JEEVA KHAMANTU ME (May all living beings grant me forgiveness)

METTI ME SAVVE BHUYESU (My friendship is with all living beings)

VAIRAM MAJHAM NA KENAI (My enemy is totally non-existent)

MICHHAMI DUKKADAM

With best wishes and prayers for the well-being of all things living......!
Michchhami (Mithya) means fruitless / forgiven and Dukkadam (Dushkrit) means bad deeds. Therefore the meaning of Michchhami Dukkadamis'My bad deeds be fruitless'.

Answer 2

Michchhami (Mithya) means fruitless / forgiven and Dukkadam (Dushkrit) means bad deeds. Therefore the meaning of Michchhami Dukkadamis'My bad deeds be fruitless'.