ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 315

INTERNATION
SCHOOL
OF
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY
स्वाध्याय
परम
AN STUDIES
is also discussed in other religious and philosophical system, but does not discuss as the rite of the end. They discuss it only from the point of view of attaining siddhis (divine powers) and to know the self (ātma śākṣātakāra). In Vedic literature this path is one among the 16 sańskāras (rituals of life) and also known as Mrtyū Sańskāra. Even if this is the last ritual of life, even any lay follower performs this. It is worth noticing that this rite by Hindus is performed for the pleasures and the gifts are given in the name of the dead one. We get a little insight about such death as a spiritual death, or for Mokṣa. There is less information on the nature of liberation, that is, to liberate oneself from life and death. In Jainism, on the other hand the importance is wholly on the spiritual death and liberation. In this rite, since there are no passions involved, there is no bondage on the soul.
There are many such examples of lay followers, monks, saints, who after renouncing (dīkṣa), undertake the rite of Sallekhana. They destroy their attachments, cravings and hatred; along with it they also destroy craving for food etc and do tapa with equanimity to give up their body. They free themselves from Karmas and attain liberation. Not all are fortunate to follow this path.
Pandita Āśādhara in his Sagaradharmāmṛta has extensively written on this issue and has mentioned that Sallekhana is under taken when a person lives his life with a holistic approach. Kundakundācārya (1st cent.A.D.) has mentioned in his Caritra Pahuḍa (Gāthā No; 26) about the special rite of Sallekhanā. Samantabhadra (2nd cent A.D) in his Ratnakarandaśrāvakācāra shows that this type of death is necessary:
upasarge durbhikse, jarasi rujayam ca nih pratikarel dharmaya tanuvimocanamahuḥ sallekhanāmäryäḥ||1
i.e. when faced with hurdles, famine, old age, or disease; one should for religion observe Sallekhanā. To discard ones body in this way is called Sallekanā. Further he states,
Page 302 of 385
antakriyadhikaranam tapahaphalam sakaladarsinah stuvatel tasmat yavadvibhavam samadhimarane prayatitavyam ||2
1 Ratnakarandaśrävakäcära, Śloka- VI.122
2 Ibid VI.123
STUDY NOTES version 5.0