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 45

34
Sallekhana in Practice
faith. She seems to have constructed many Jaina temples and encouraged worship in temples. She has been described as if she had descended to the earth to protect the supreme Jaina religion. She herself was a great lover of the true religion. She took to samnyasana and died after practising penance according to the vidhi or rules on the 11th day of the dark half of Phalguna in Śaka year 1042 (1120 A. D).65
Gangaraja was one of the ministers of the Hoysala king Viṣṇuvardhana. His mother was Pocikabbe. She was the wife of Eca who was equal to Manu in pure conduct and was to be seen always in the groups of sages and learned men. She is said to have constructed many temples at Śravana Belgola and other holy places. The inscription which is in the mantapa to the South of the Camuṇḍaraya temple records her pious life and her death by Sallekhana. It has been stated that she had attained great fame as one who had reached the height of virtues and whose spiritual attainments inspired great admiration. She subdued all her passions and weaknesses by repeating: "namo Vitarāgāya" (Salutation to the Conqueror of Passions). She attained godhood by practising Sallekhana with ease (sallekhana sampadadindam devi Pocambike surapadamam leileyim sooregonḍal). This event took place on the 5th day of the bright half of Aṣāḍha in the Saka year 1043 (1121 A. D.). Her son who erected the memorial has been praised. The text of the inscription was composed by Bava Raja, a disciple of Prabhācandra Siddhanta Deva and was engraved by Vardhamānācāri, son of Hoysalacāri. The con cluding part of the inscription showers such high praise on Ganga Raja that one may easily infer that the minister was powerful, pious and "a gem of virtues."64
Mention has already been made that Subhacandra Deva was the spiritual guru of the family of Ganga Raja, the famous minister of Viṣṇuvardhana, the ocean of Jaina religion 63. Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. II, Ins. 49 (129). 64. Ibid., Vol. II, Ins. 44 (118).