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SANNYASA DHARMA
an instrument for the observance of Dharma, and when the inevitability of death is a matter of undisputed certainty. In such cases, when life may be said to confess judginent to the claim of death, the adoption of the sallekhanã attitude is calculated to directly streugthen the soul and to prevent its future rebirth in any but the best surroundings. Those who adopt the sallekhand vow immediately become self-reliant, self.composed and self-centred; they cease to be agitated by personal considerations and suffering, and rise above the cravings and longings of the world. The regult of the terribly resolute frame of mind implied in the sallekhana vow on the departing soul is simply wonderful, and immediately raises its rhythm, lifting it out of the slough of despond and negativity. The ma who wanders or tosses about, hither and thither, weeping and crying, in the closing moments of life, and spends the littlo time at his disposal in making
efforts to avoid the unavoidable, is nowhere compared with him who, realizing the hopelessness of the endeavour to save his life. earnestly applies himself to control his destiny. The result is that while the latter attains to deva-birth in the highest heavens, the former only finds himself in painful and unenviable circumstances and surroundings.”
Except as indicated above sallekhand is forhidden in the Scripture of Truth as will be evident from the following from the " Bhagwati Aradhana" (by St. Sivakoti) :--
" Bhakta pralyikhyū na mirana (sallekhand) is not proper for him who has many years of saintly life before him, who has no fear of starvation from a great famine, who is not aMicted by an incurable disease, and who is not faced by any sudden cause of death. Who ever desires to put an end to his life, while still able, with his body, to observe the rules of the Dharma and of the Order properly, he falls from the true Path!”
The sādhı, intent upon the observance of the sallekhanā vow, begins by giving up solid foods, taking to such sustaining liquids as milk, curds, whey, and the like, and, finally, comes down to hot water, which, too, is given up, as soon as he is able to sustain himself on the strength of his indomitable will. He now refrains from all kinds of foods and drinks till the last moment of life. If trouble comes
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