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ideal end, the consummation devoutly to be wished. If a pious man, self controlled throughout his life, were to die a common death, all his efforts for spiritual progress would be washed. He would not be free from the wheel of samsara for samlekhana is the highest form of tapas.10
JAIN JOURNAL
But samlekhanā is not to be taken lightly. It is not to be universally practised without distinction of individual capacity and motivation. Certain specific conditions are laid down which are to be strictly followed if one is to practise such fast unto death. Samlekhanā is to be adopted in two cases: (a) in cases of emergency and (b) as the end of regular religious career. The two forms or samlekhana are equally applicable to monks and laymen. As an emergency measure when we are faced with terrible famine, when we are overpowered by foreign domination, at the time of spiritual calamities, when it would be impossible for us to live a pious life and to do our duties as good citizens. Similary, when we are in the grip of incurable disease and when we are too old to live a normal righteous life. In these cases we have to depend on others. We become a burden to society without any possibility of reciprocating the good either for one self and for others. Under such circumstances only should we decide to end this life by fasting unto death. If a monk falls ill and it is not possible for him to continue the practice of his vows and to lead the ascetic life he should decide to take samlekhana.11 In all these cases, however, one has perforce to take the permission of the teacher who will give permission to practise samlekhanā only after examining the capacity of the individual. One who has not the strength of will is forbidden to take samlekhanā.
Samlekhanā forms a regular religious career both for ascetics and householders. A householder has to go through a regular religious career through the gradual religious practice of eleven 'pratimas' (stages of conduct). In the last stage, he becomes practically a monk. At the end of the period, he abstains from food and drink and devotes himself to selfmortification. He continues fast, patiently waiting for death. In the case of the monk, the practice of samlekhanā may last 12 years. For the householder who has practically become monk it would take twelve months. As stated in the Amrita by Asadhara, firm faith in Jainism, observance of vows and samlekhanā according to rules at the time of death, constitute the duties of the householder.12 A Jaina monk must prepare himself
10 Ratnakaranda Sravakacara, 123; Bhagavati Aradhana, 15: suciramaviniradicaram viharitta nanadamsanaecrtte marane viradhayitta ananta samsario dittho. 11 Jacobi, H., 'Death and the Disposal of the Dead', ERE, Vol. IV, p. 484. 12 Epigraphia Carnatica, II, Intro., pp. 69-70.
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