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 46

Sallekhanā in Practice
35
(Jainadharmāmộtambudhi) and the sea of samyaktva ( Samyaktva-ratnākara). On Friday, the 10th day of the bright half of the month of Śrāvana in the saka Year 1045 (1123 A. D.), the great yati Subhacandra Deva went into meditation and reached the world of gods. This inscription wbich is in the manțapa to the right side of Cavundarāya Temple mentions the great Jaina Acāryas : Divākaranandi Deva, the lord of ascetics, a royal swan in the lake of the Jaina doctrine; his disciple Gandavimuktadeva Maladhāri-munīndra of aweful penance, hard to be performed by others; the disciple of this emperor of good conduct was the resplendent Subhacandra Deva. The text was composed by the disciple of Subhacandra Deva by name Mardhimayya and engraved by Vardhamānācāri. The epitaph was set up by Gaņa Rāja, the Chief of the Army — mahā-pradhāna dandanayaka.6 5
Śrī Pārsvanātha temple at Śravaņa Belgola has an important inscription which begins with a prayer to the last Tīrthankara Vardhamāna and refers to the Gañadharas like Gautamasvāmi and to the Śrutakevalis including Bhadrabahu. It gives a lengthy account of the Jaina Munis like Samantabhadra, Sumati Deva, Srīvardhadeva, the author of the famous poem Cūdamani, Vimalacandra, Indranandi, Hemasena, Puşpasena Muni - whose colleague was Akalanka, and many others. It records the death of Mallişeņa-Maladhari Deva by Sallekhana, who is said to be possessed of unequalled patience, limitless compassion and completely free from desires. Though he was the head of Munis, he was revered for his humility and character. He had achieved glory for his penance. He took the vow of Sallekhanā which is famous in the Jaina scriptures and left his body at the feet of Jina to enter svarga, “absorbed in perfect penance and with his mind filled with joy." Just before he abandoned his body he composed the following verse extempore in the presence of those who had gathered to witness the samadhi : “Having obtained the triad of jewels mentioned in the agamas, having refrained from causing pain 65. Ibid., Vol. II, Ins. 43 (117).