________________
Spirituality means we should leave behind smaller gains where we can achieve greater benefit for our soul. The death committed by an enlightened person or a tranquil death is a right use of freedom to die. Shalekhana is a process of living beyond the body in a state of self-absorption by reduction in diet or by giving up heavy and indigestible food, tasty and sap foods, fasting for one day and then for two days and then for three days..... Unto death. It is not killing one's self by oneself, but it is a spiritual practice of self-realisation. Death is not the aim of such meditation. Death occurs as an incidence. Fasting is allowed if the person by reason of decrepitude, confined to bed with some incurable illness, or a physical or mental condition making the performance of duties impossible, vow to abandon his body and purify his soul by purging old karmas, preventing the creation of new ones and ‘remaining indifferent to death'.
Shalekhana is seen as the ultimate way to expunge all sins/karma liberating the soul from the cycle of birth and death. It is a voluntary act of rational thinking and marks the beginning of a journey of understanding the inherently painful and flawed nature of earth. The essence of man is his existence. It takes tremendous courage to resist the lure of appearances. The courage to die is the test of the courage to be. Faith in the elevation of the soul is the source of courage. The courage to take death upon oneself is the true meaning of doctrine of immorality of soul. Courage is the strength of soul capable of conquering whatever threatens the attainment of the highest goal. Death is accepted only through a state of confidence in which death is not threatening. He directs the course of his
214
