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Jaina Acāra : Siddhanta aura Svarūpa
the wife of one's preceptor deserve to die in fire or by some weapon as they are heinous offences, In Prayāga falling from Aksayavata jumping into the Ganges and in Kasi death ( Karavata) have a sort of religious sanctity. These were supposed to wash off sins and take one direct to heaven, Death at Prayāga, Sarasvati, Kaši etc., is supposed to ensure salvation. The Mahabharata says that no Vedic precept or edict from the public should be supposed to deter one from dying at Prayāga. The Puranas declare that howsoever a great sinner may be, he is emancipated if he dies at a holy place of pilgrimage. Manusmrti says that when one who has retired to the forest suffers from some incurable disease should turn his face to the north-eastern corner and live on air and water. He should be walking till he dies. Yagnavalkya is of the same view. The Pandavas' march was to the Himalayas. With Draupadī they undertook fast unto death and proceeded in the eastern direction. Draupadi was the first to fall. Then all the rest. They all attained heaven.
Dr. Panduranga Vamana Kane who was a well-read scholar,on the basis of his study of the Ramayana and other scriptures as also (rock) inscriptions has established that Surabhanga, Raghu, Gāngeya Gangadeva, Somesvara etc.had courted death willingly. Yajnavalkya, Afrismrti etc.,say that householders also in the above-said condition are permitted to opt for death.
Angirasa says that a Brāhmana widow may accompany her husband to death. This rule did not apply to pregnant women. Vishnupurāna says that the widows of Krsna became 'Satis'. The Mahābhārata says that if a devoted wife dies earlier than her husband,she should wait for him in the next world. Otherwise she should accompany her dead husband. Harita says that a woman who becomes a Sati on the demise of her husband sanctifies three families of mother, father and husband.
Ini Rājasthāna there was the custom of 'Jauhara'. Padmini and Others became Satis. There are monuments and memorials in their and other warriors' honour. The custom of Sati was prevalent also in the South. So was it even in Greece and Egypt. Those who were unwilling to die with their husbands were forced to immolate themselves. In the vicinity of the pyre drums were beaten loudly to muffle the piteous cries of the dying widows. The Digambara Acārya Sivakoti says that fasts,eating less than one's need, begging tours, abstaining from delicious food, mortification of flesh, being static in self-nature by taking oneself away from distractions are means for external passionless voluntary death. The other way is to fast on the first day and penance on the second day. The twelve kinds of special vows are also potent means of attaining the covetable state of voluntary death.
The penance of taking roasted paddy with water is the most desirable type of penance for it. The limitation of diet is essential. While ending the fast, sour gruel vinegar made by steeping mustard seeds etc.,in water letting the liquor ferment is suggested.
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