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(234) : Nandanavana
and Sivārya have 14-16 causes. They seem to be mostly extension and elaboration of Sthānārga. However, death by rope trap, cutting tongue, demigodal inflictions or immoral acts indicates these practices in those times. These causes are shown in Table 5. It is surprising why Sivārya does not mention fear and sorrow as the causes of death. They are psychological causes. The difference in Kundakunda and Sivārya lists requires further studies. These causes lead to shortening or cutting the life-span.
Table 5: Causes of Death in Different Canons“. Sthắnắnga Kundakunda
śivārya 1 Fear, sorrow etc. 1. Fear
2. Sorrow 2. Instrumental 3. Weapons
1. Weapons 4. Fire or overheat 2. Fire/overheat 5. Over cold
3. Over cold 6. Blood flow
4. Smoke 5. Taking out tongue
6. Rope trap 3. Over-eating 7. Over-eating or no- 7. Over-eating/ no eating.
eating
8. Unnatural foods
9. Thirst 4. Severe pains Severe pains 5. External causes 9. Drowning in water 10. Drowning in water
10. Fall from mounts 11. Fall from mounts 11. Fall from tree
12. Fall from tree 6. Touch
12. Poisons, snakebites 13. Poisons etc.
etc. 7. Respiratory 13. Respiratory
14. Respiratory obstructions obstructions
obstructions 14. Demigodal 15. Over meditation
16. Immoral acts These causes do not include death by trance or voluntary ritual. As these also do not include accidents due to many transport mediums, it seems certain that the modern transport mediums were absent during canonical days. But these could be included in death by external causes. Failure of body parts like heart, kidney etc., is also not here which is very prevalent now a days. Here weapons may include bombs also.
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