Sallekhana is Not Suicide

SR No.: 001568
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T K Tukol
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1976
Total Pages: 124
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 8 MB

Page 112

Sallekhanā by Ācārya sāntisagar
101
tration. He must remember that the Self is different from the body; he must have full faith in that truth. He must deeply study the differences in the nature of the soul and the body.' On the successive days he went on expounding on devotion, meditation, repetition of the namokāra-mantra, faith, prayer and their efficacy in self-realization. Man can perform Japa at any time of the day and night. He explained how delusion and infatuation pervert the soul and become responsible for the rise of passions. Non-attachment and self-control bring in real happiness. By contemplating daily on the virtues of the Siddhas and Arihantas and their nature with concentration one can get the real happiness of the Self. Amongst the senses, the tongue is the most powerful. Amongst the five vows, the most difficult one is celibacy. Amongst the Guptis that is, the control of mind, body and speech, the control of the mind is the most difficult one.
Speaking about himself in a mood of introspection, the Muniji said : “Even during my youth, I did penance as much as possible. During the Astami (8th day). Caturdaśī ( 14th day) of every fortnight, I used to sit in meditation from 6 A. M. to 6 P. M. without moving from the place. I carried on my self-introspection in the hottest sun and heaviest of rains, I fasted at times for two days, eight days, ten days continuously. For Muni all the twenty-four hours are meant for selfintrospection. I must now observe complete silence as I can do nothing on account of the growing weakness of my eye-sight."
On 5th July 1955, the Acārya said after completing the morning Svadhyāya (reading of scriptures ) :“ Recently, the weakness of my eye-sight is growing. I had come here two years before. During my stay here then, there was some improvement in the eyesight. But this time, I do not feel so. Since I have to depend on others even at the time of walking, the transgressions of the vows have been increasing everyday. I have been therefore feeling that I should adopt the vow of Sallekhana."