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 37

26
Sallekhana in Practice
was famous for his penance. He observed the vow on the hill and attained perfection.37
Age seems to have worn out the inscription which states clearly that the sage Devasena was famous for his numerous virtues. He felt that death was at hand. He observed the vow and ascended to heaven (700 A. D.).38
Prabhavati was a nun who belonged to the Navilür Sangha already mentioned. She observed the vow on the mountain and attained a body endowed with natural beauty (700 A. D.). The same inscription refers to accomplishment of samadhi on the mountain by Damitamati who belonged to the Mayuragrama Sangha.
In A. D. 800 Ariștanemi Deva ended his life at the holy place of Kalbappu having attained the period of liberation.** Just above this writing, there is a record of some other personage having attained liberation by samnyasana. This event might be of the same period.+1
Vaijabbe who is mentioned as the daughter of "illustrious Beṭṭadeva" (950 A. D.) observed the vow of samnyāsana and died on the mountain, "the holy place of Kalbappu. It is not clear whether Beṭṭadeva referred to here is the same king Viṣṇuvardhana who is said to have assumed that name after he was converted to Vaisnavism, his prior name being Bittideva. Since the details are wanting, it is difficult to say anything further about the identity of the lady.*9
Marasimha Ganga was a famous king of the Ganga dynasty and was a devout Jaina. He has been described as Ganga Mahārājādhirāja, Ganga Cuḍamani, Ganga Vidyadhara Simha etc. He made a grant to the Samkha Basti (a Jaina temple of that name) at Laxmeshwar (Dt. Dharwar). He was learned in grammar, logic, philosophy and literature. He
37. lbid., Vol. II, Ins. 111. 38. Ibid., Vol. II, Ins. 113. 39. Ibid, Vol. II, Ins. 114.
40. Ibid., Vol. II, Ins. 14. 41. Ibid., Vol. II, Ins. 15. 42. Ibid., Vol. II, Ins. 68.