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 84

Suicide
tive or negative act of the victim himself, which he knows will produce result.”3 This definition is too wide to be logical. In cases of suicide, the death is sudden, the mental condition is not normal and the means used to bring about death are questionable. Another sociologist Esquirol differs from this definition and says, “That man does not kill himself, who obeying some noble and generous sentiment, throws into peril, exposes himself to inevitable death and willingly sacrifice his life in obedience to the laws, to keep pledged faith of his country's safety." According to him, "suicide shows all characteristics of mental alienation."4 These views except from the category of suicide deaths inspired by religious faith, patriotic fervour or other lofty motive. They include in the category of suicides only deaths which take place as a result of mental imbalance caused by one reason or the other. Dr. Bourdin concurs with this view and except froin suicide “all voluntary deaths inspired not only by religious faith but even by lofty affection."
Durkheim has mentioned some deaths under the category of “ Altruistic Suicides." "Danish warriors, in olden times, considered it a disgrace to die in bed of old age or sickness and killed themselves to escape the ignominy. The Goths are said to have believed that those who die a natural death languish forever in caverns full of venomous creatures. Similar notions seem to have prevailed amongst the Spanish Celts. Mention is made in this category of deaths of sati in India, and of the nobles and slaves killing themselves in Gaul and Havaji on the death of their Chiefs or Masters. The main reasons for such suicides were either the sense of duty or concept of social obligation, disobedience to which resulted in supposed harms after death or survival of the events. There are cases which the society regarded as obligatory."5
3. Suicide by Durkheim, Introduction, p. 2. 4. Ibid., p. 3. 5. Suicide by Durkheim, Chap. IV, p. 220. S-10