________________
Sallekhanā in Practice
57
Empire. He was a great patron of Jainism and gifted the village of Varanga to the temple of Neminātha at the same place. This is located in a corner to the East of Akkanabasti at Śrvaņabe!go!a. 3 8
On a rock lying to the North of Tavare Kere (the tank of white lotuses ), there is an inscription recording the death of Cāru Kirti Pandita Yati, in the Saka year 1565 (1643 A. D.), Shobhanu Samvatsara at midday on the dark half of the 14th day of Pușya, the ascetic who was an Emperor in the three lores went to the heaven when he was in medi. tation ( yoge svargapuram jagāma ).8 9
The latest inscription contained in the volume is in Kannada. It records the death of Ajita Kīrti Devaru after fasting for a month in the Bhadrabāhu Cave. He was the disciple of śānta Kirti Devaru who was the disciple of Ajita Kiirti Devaru belonging to the Desigaṇa of Kundakunda line. This event took place in the Sālivāhana era 1731 Sukla Samvatsara Wednesday, 4th day of the dark half of Bhadrapada ( 1809 A. D.).*• Bhattakalanka, the head of Desigaña, lord of the stable throne in Kanakagiri, ascended to the heaven by a happy death occasioned by proper practice of the vow.41
Some other instances
The popularity of the practice (of Sallek hanā) is attested througout the history of Jainism. In 1172, thus died the great scholar and statesman Hemacandra, followed in a short time by his patron Kumārapāla; 49 in 1912, a monk at Ahmedabad, though in perfect health, starved himself to death by a fast of 41 days; and in the following year, a nun at Rajkot, hav
36. Ibid., Vol. VIII, Ins. 121.
39. Ibid., Vol. II, Ins. 142 (362). 37. Ibid., Vol. II, Ins. 108 ( 258 ). 40. Ibid., Vol. II, Ins. 72. 38. Ibid., Vol. II, Ins. 125 (328). 41. Ibid., Vol. III, Ins. 146. 42. Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics, Vol. III, p. 34. S-8
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
