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A sinner who has committed sins throughout his life; even if he asks forgiveness at the end he liberates himself from the guilt. In the similar manner a sinner if undertakes sallekhan at the end of his life can attain a good state of existence. Even Vedic literature mentions that one who repents for sins attains a place near God (vaikuntha). Aj m la, committed sins through out his life; but towards the end repented by taking the name of N r ya a he attained Vaikuntha. J vandharakum ra, said Namok ra Mantra to a dying dog and t rtha kara Pr van tha uttered this mantra to snakes dying in fire. The snakes attained the devagati. Even Manusmrti mentions about sallekhan. Sant K lidasa, Kabir, Tuk r ma also have mentioned about it.
After the war of Mah bh rata, Bhi ma also asked for voluntary death.
Sallekhan is a special tapa, which is done for spiritual growth and self development. Hence after attaining such a death only very few births are left for the person to attain liberation. Once all the karmas are gone liberation is attained Sallekhan
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0
