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through death. The doctor, under pressure and due to his inability to provide an alternate. administers poison and terminates the patient.
Because the patient himself desired of death, this type of death is called desired death. From the viewpoint of the doctor it is mercy killing because the doctor relieved the patient of his torment out of compassion.
Although Netherlands, Sweden and some other countries have given legal sanction to euthanasia, there still are legal problems which are hard to overcome.
If properly analyzed, euthanasia is a type of murder. The doctor is killing a person by administering poison. The individual himself, disturbed by pain. is committing suicide.
How than this can be called Sunlekhand? The seeker who accepts Sanlekhana does not desire death due to any disappointment caused by torments. He welcomes death peacefully and meditatively. He considers death to be ceremonious or festive.
Therefore to say that Santekhana is suicide is utter misunderstanding.
SANTHARA
Generally the term 'Santhara' is in popular use along with 'Sanlekhana'. According to the Agam literature the common meaning of 'Santhara' is 'samastarak or bed. But in context of Sanlekhana it means anshan' or fasting. Mostly these two words are used together (Sanlekhana-Santhara) and here it indicates abandoning fondness or attachment of world and body.
What is Santhara?
Santhara is a specific process of spiritual practice. When a seeker accepts Samhara he is completely free of attachments. Detached from his body and things related to the body, he dwells in the self or soul. At that time he is free of the options of life and death. He is involved only with inner experiences and bliss. He observes fast or does not eat are just superficial descriptions. The reality is that he has no desire for food or water. He does not think about the eighteen types of sins and is in a state of equanimity. In that state there is no hunger or thirst, there is no wish, ambition or desire, and there is no fear whether of life and death or torments and afflictions.
Santhara is not embracing death but control over death. It is a process of ending life as well as death. If the practice of Santhara is perfect the seeker becomes free of the cycles of rebirth and enjoys the unending and infinite bliss of liberation. If that perfection is not attained he at least earns a good rebirth.
But the seeker does not wish for a better rebirth, his target is absolute purity of soul. He indulge in practices only to attain that goal.
Antakriddast Mabima
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