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Chapter 5
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Sanlekhana-Santhara : A Study
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Sanlekhana and Santhara are Jain technical terms. Sanlekhana means the art of dying. To welcome death with courage and without fear.
All the ascetics described in Antakriddasha Sutra (except ascetic Gajasukumal) left their earthly bodies and got liberated while practicing Sanlekhana-Santhara during the last days of their life. Therefore it is necessary to briefly discuss Sanlekhana-Santhura
here.
SANLEKHANA We first take up Sanlekhana.
The Meaning of Sanlekhana
Etymologically Santekhana is made up of two words---sut + lekhana. Following the rules of word conjunction this takes two formssallekhana and sunlekhana. Here the term 'sat' means right or correct and 'lekhana' means to reduce, dilapidate, or emaciate. Thus the meaning of the formed word, Sunlekhana, is to properly or correctly reduce ones passions and body.
From Jain point of view passions and body are the fundamental causes of bonding of kurmas. The secondary causes related to body are mind and speech. Passion has four types--anger, conceit, illusion and greed. The kurma bondage caused by 'body and kashuva (passions), as mentioned here, has the same meaning as that caused by 'voga and passions' as mentioned in the Karma Grunthus.
This conveys that the emaciating of body and passions done during Sunlekhana gradually weakens the bondage of kurmus and iinally sheds karmas. As a result the seeker is free of the bondage of karmas.
That is the reason that every religious person, whether he is a Shravak or Shramau. desires of ending his life doing Sailekhana-Santharu.
The Desire of Sanlekhana
In spite of having a desire to observe Sanlekhana it cannot be suddenly commenced. The seeker first contemplates about his physical condition and then expresses his desire before his guru. If the experienced guru thinks it appropriate he grants permission. Then only the seeker accepts Sanlekhanu.
Antakriddasha Mahima
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