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 117

Sallekhana by Acārya Säntisāgar
soul. So far as the Acarya was concerned, he breathed his last in peace and spiritual exultation. Those who were left behind were joyfully amazed at the spiritual heights which the Acarya had scaled. They felt a new current of religious energy flowing into their souls. The day was observed as a day of religious festival singing songs of the saint's glory and the uniqueness of the religion which helped him to attain salvation. There was not the slightest of regret or remorse on the part of any of the devoteees.
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During his lifetime, the Acarya provided spiritual leadership to the community both by his practice and precepts. By his death, he proved how a saint who had controlled himself and subdued his sense could die "full of peace and without injury to any one," while his soul went to the kingdom of gods, with great lustre and full of brilliancy.
As Lord Mahavira said, there are two ways of death: death with one's own will and death against one's will. The latter kind of death is for ignorant men who are attached to pleasures and amusements, suffer the ills and diseases in life and die in dread of their future. But the virtuous and the learned, the monks who have controlled themselves and subdued their senses achieve, on their death either freedom from all misery or godhood of great power." Even at death, they are "calm through patience and an undisturbed mind." This was the mode of death chosen by Acārya Śrī Šāntisāgar and that is exactly how he died. Who can say that such pious and disciplined death is suicide?
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