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undertake this practice. It is rational in the sense that the very purpose of human existence in its spiritual evolution to perfection and to overcome all impediments that hinder its progress towards this noble goal. The fear of death is one such hindrance and in that sense, the Santhara overcomes this hindrance and paves the way for spirit's attainment of perfection. It not only enables the spiritual aspirant to overcome the fear of death but also highlights the indomitable human spirit that would not stop short of achieving its goal whatever may be in the say.
Reference has been made to the book of Dr.Colonel D.S.Baya, which covers almost all aspects of this spiritual practice by the Jains across the sectarian divisions and across the world. The book justifies the Santhara as religious practice, which is essential to the religion of Jain. Quoting from the Jain scriptures and using a research methodology including literary, field research and research finding, it was concluded in the book that embracing voluntary peaceful death by fasting unto death after a preparatory penance is the ultimate form of penance that culminates in a fearless death in a state of equanimity of mind. It is a noble form of death, which does not use any violent means to die in a fit of the moment and it is perfectly non-violent as it causes no injury to the self or the other. The Santhara is perfectly peaceful, calm and quiet and is distinct from the voluntary death practiced by the followers of the other faiths in that it uses no violent means to die and that there is no desire to die associated with it. It is simply a noble way to voluntarily discard and worn out and diseased body that does not remain spiritually productive any longer. The practice has been a tradition with the Jain ever since the dawn of civilization and it has been practiced by the Jain ascetics and lay followers since the time of Bagman Rsabhadeva to the present age. The Jain scriptures, rock inscriptions and media report amply bear evidence to the facts. It cannot be compared with suicide, Sati or any other form of honour deaths and it attracts no provisions of law against it. Justice T.K.Tukol opined that omission
| SR No. | 250435 |
| Book Title | Decoding The Judgement on Sallekhana Santhara of The Rajasthan High Court |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | C Devkumar Jain |
| Publisher | C Devkumar Jain |
| Publication Year | 2015 |
| Total Pages | 25 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Article |
| File Size | 671 KB |