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 29

SECTION III
It is an undisputed fact of history that Śri Bhadrabahu, the last of the Śruta Kevalis, migrated to South India along with twelwe thousand ascetics and lay followers sometime in 290 B. C. as be apprehended that there was to be a severe famine in the North lasting over twelve years. He was accompanied by his disciple Emperor Candragupta Maurya who reigned as emperor from 315 B. C. to 291 B. C. and has been referred to by the Greek historians as Sandrokottos. The details of this event are given in one of the "Inscriptions at Sravana Belgol" which were published by the Department of Archaeological Survey of Mysore, with B. Lewis Rice as Director of Researches and Secretary to the Government of Mysore. A revised edition under the title of Epigraphia Carnaṭika, Vol. II was published in 1923 by R. Narasimhachar who was then the director of the Department. The relevant inscriptions on Sallekhana were first studied by me from the first edition; and I noted their numbers with reference to the earlier publication. Hence the corresponding numbers in the revised volume have been also added as second number in each bracket.
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SALLEKHANA IN PRACTICE
The first inscription states that as Bhadrabahu predicted at Ujjaini that there would be a dreadful famine which would last for twelve years, the Jaina Sangha migrated under his leadership from the Northern region to the South and arrived at Katavapra which came to be known subsequently as Śravana Belgol. There an Acarya by name Prabhācandra perceived that he was nearing the end of his life; so he sent away all his disciples under the leadership of Visakha Muni. He remained alone with a single disciple on the high peak