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 22

What is Sallekhanā ?
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es with the body. Such thoughts will create a sense of detachment and free the mind from passions of every kind like love, anger, greed and pride. The mind would be all peace and calm turned inwards with equanimity.
How can one acquire complete peace of mind before adopting the Vow? The person concerned should make a frank and full confession of his actions and thoughts before his preceptor. He should discuss with his spiritual Guru whatever sins he might have committed or might have been committed by others at his instance or with his consent till that date, without hesitation or sense of secracy and observe all the great five vows till death. In case it is not possible to approach a saint or an Acārya, one should sit calmly, meditate upon the pañca-parameșthis and recall to one's own mind all types of sins and transgressions either committed by oneself or committed at one's instigation. He should shut out all evil thoughts. If he is suffering from some deadly or serious disease, he should endure all the pangs with equanimity and tranquillity without exhibiting any signs of suffering, with an inborn conviction that the disease itself is the fruit of one's own Karma.
That the mind should be freed from all passions and infirmities before undertaking the fast has been emphasised by all saints or learned men who have written on the subject. Viranandi has discussed fully the vow of Sallekhana in his book : Ācārasāra. He says that for a successful observance of the vow, a monk should select such locality where the king is religious-minded, where the people have great devotion towards the Acārya and where the subjects are not poor or penniless. This is a precaution against disturbances or obstructions of any kind during the course of the observance. Such a precaution is necessary to ensure external peace during the period of vow. He should have no love for his body and no attachment towards any of the things, mobile or immobile (cetana and acetana ) or for possessions of any type. He should have no affection or attachment to