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PURUSHARTHA-SIDDHYUPAYA
73
contemplate death as an inevitable event, and as nothing more than change of one body for another, as an entry into new life. He should then be constantly. contemplating the reality of substances, and should completely withdraw from all temporal connections whatsoever. नीयन्तेऽत्र कषाया हिंसाया हेतवो यतस्तनुताम् । सल्लेखनामपि ततः प्राहुरहिंसाप्रसिद्ध्यर्थम् ॥ १७६ ॥
179. In the practice of Sallekhaná (renunciation of the body), all passions, which cause Himsa, are subdued, and hence Sallekhana is said to lead to Ahimsa.
Commentary, Sallekhaná is included here as an eighth Sheela. Like the others, this also helps, strengthens, and leads to Ahimsa. Sallekhaná, also called Sannyása, or Samadhi Marana, is adopted when in the event of an incurable disease, extreme old age, famine, or calamity, one finds that death is certainly approaching. He then obtains forgiveness from all friends and relations, and with perfect peace of mind, gives up all possessions, gradually reduces his meals, and engages in spiritual contemplation. इति यो व्रतरक्षार्थं सततं पालयति सकलशीलानि। वरयति पतिवरेव स्वयमेव समुत्सुका शिवपदश्रीः॥१८०॥
180. Like a damsel desiring a husband, the goddess of final beatitude herself longingly chooses him as a husband, who for protection of the Vratas, ceaselessly observes all the Sheelas.
Commentary. Final beatitude is assured to him who observes the Sheelas ; and as stated just above, Sallekhaná has been included in the Sheelas.
The allusion here is to the ancient Indian custom of choosing a husband. The father of a marriageable damsel invited all eligible men, and the maiden exercised her choice by putting the marriage garland round the neck of the man she elected to marry. This was called Swayamvara, self-election of a husband.
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