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

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Sallekhana in Practice
of Ramacandra-Maladharideva of Śrī Mūla Sangha, Desigana. There is an epitaph which refers to the Sallekhana of Śiriyamma Gaudi. She was the wife of Siriyamma Gauḍa. This was during the period of Koți Nayaka in 1299 A. D. She was the disciple of Gunanandi Bhatṭāraka, of Mula Sangh, Desi-gana of Kundakunda. She attained the heavenly state. 11
Ravandur is a village in Hunsur Taluka (Dt. Mysore). There is a Jaina temple. In the temple, there is an inscription which records that Śrutakīrti-deva attained salvation on Sunday, 8th day of the dark half of the month of second Bhadrapada, Rudhirogari Samvat Śaka year 1306 (1384 A. D.). He was the chief disciple of Prabhendu and the disciple of Śruta-muni. His disciple Adideva-muni and the local Jainas set up his image and that of the Tirthankara Sumati. They also repaired the temple.12
In the Saka year 1235 on Tuesday, the 14th day of the dark half of the month of Sravana, the great Muni Subha candra departed to the city of immortals freeing himself from the trammels of his body (1313 A. D.). He has been described as being well-versed in spiritualism, with a wholly detached mind, under the dominating influence of the Jaina religion; he had conquered all the passions. Freed from the results of the arta and raudra meditations, with subha-citta, he left his body while he was meditating upon the pañcanamaskāra (Namokara mantra). It is stated that the memorial was erected by his disciple Padmanandi Pandita Deva in the Mahanavami Mantapa. The inscription gives the succession of Gurus in the Kundakunda lineage of Pustakagaccha of the Desi-gana of Mula-sangha in this order: Meghacandra-Traividya, Umanandi, Anantakirti-muni, Śubhacandra-muni. 13
An epitaph similarly worded refers to the death of Kamagauḍa who was the son of Gopa-gauḍa and the disciple of
10. Ibid., Vol. VIII, Ins. 114. 11. Ibid., Vol. VIII, Ins. 122.
12. Ibid., Vol. II, Ins. 495. 13. Ibid., Vol. III, Ins. 123.