Sallekhana is Not Suicide

Author(s): T K Tukol
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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The fourth section devoted to the account of voluntary deaths under other religions describes various types of voluntary deaths including the practices of satı and mahaprasthāna. Islam has neither advocated nor sanctioned voluntary deaths. Christianity too forbids voluntary deaths. The commandment is Thou shalt not kill, neither thyself nor another.
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The fifth section defines suicide, enumerates the causes that lead one to suicide, describes suicide in primitive societies and enumerates the main psychological and physical features of one who commits suicide. The sixth section briefly surveys the law on suicide as it exists in most of the countries in the world and draws the conclusion that not all countries in the world regard suicide as an offence punishable under the local law.
The seventh section examines the situations giving rise to suicide and Sallekhana, intentions and psychology of the persons committing suicide and practising Sallekhana and effects on their kith and kin. It brings out clearly the distinction between Sallekhana and suicide, and finally concludes that Sallekhana is not Suicide. The eighth section substantiates the conclusion arrived at in the previous section by the illustration of Sallekhana by Ac. Śantisagara who quitted his body on 18th September, 1955 at the holy place of Kunthalgiri, Osmanabad District.
We are thankful to Justice T. K. Tukol for these lectures which he prepared at our instance. I have no doubt that the students, teachers and others interested in this subject will find this book interesting and illum. inating.
L. D. Institute of Indology Ahmedabad-380 009
15th August, 1976
Nagin J. Shah Director