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 69

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Sallekhanā in Practice
ing previously weakened herself by austerities, died after two or three days' fast.43
The Kālandi inscriptions in the former State of Sirohi (which is now in Gujarāt) record the deaths of a congregation of Jainas by fasting in Saka year 1389 ( 1311 A. D.).
Sallekhanā in 1973 Another more recent instance of Sallekhanā is that of Sudharmasāgara Muni. While he was staying at Gajapanth in Mahārāștra, Nasik District, which is a place of Jaina pilgrimage, for about seven months in 1973, he decided to accept the vow on 13th August 1973 owing to old age and weakness of eyesight. He gave up all solid foods and decided to take only milk and water. This was on the full moon day of the month of Śrāvaņa. On the first day of the full moon day of the month of Bhādrapada (that is, one and half months later ) he gave up milk also. He started taking water once in 2 or 3 days. On 9th September, he took water for the last time and gave up that also. He adopted the YamaSallekhanā. His peace of mind and purity went on increasing. Most of his time, he used to spend in silence; he used to be engrossed in reading scriptures and contemplation on the real nature of the Ātman. People started gathering on hearing the news of Sallekhanā.
A wonderful incident happened on 26th August 1973. When the Muniji had gone to a field a little away from the Dharmaśālā (rest-house) and was deeply engrossed in medi. tation as usual in a cave there, Kșullaka Vijayakīrti maharaja was sitting near him at about 11.30 A. M. The door of the cave was half open. A cobra measuring about 64 feet in length came there and sat near the Muni. A little later, it opened its hood and began to wave it most beautifully. Śrī Vijayakīrtiji who was not in contemplation observed this but started his contemplation. For about an hour, the cobra was
43, Heart of Jainism, p. 163,
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