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Concept of Santhārā (Samadhimaraņa) in Jainism: 67
and a full diet on such occasions is permissible during the next six months of the 11th year. During the 12th year, ācāmla coupled with another penance, i.e. either continuous ācāmla with another penance alternately. At the end of the 12th year fasting for a fortnight or a whole month or bhaktapratyākhyāna etc. is taken. In thc Ratnakaranda-śrāvakācāra, we get the order of curtailment in diet as follows. First, cereals are given up, one practices to take only mild. Then, mild is also given up and only buttermilk or hot water is taken. Then, according to one's capacity, gradually fasting is taken up and water is also given up." According to the Niśīthacūrņi taking food is reduced in such a way that complete abandonment of food and death coincide. During the last four months of this year, the mouth is kept oiled so that the speech organs do not cease to function and there is no difficulty in reciting the namaskāramantra etc.20 These are the different methods for undertaking Santhārā according to ones capacity. Spiritual Activities undertaken during the Santhārā
A Jaina resolving to undergo Santhārā knows it well that he has eaten a lot of food to sustain his body during this life and voluntarily gives up the food. It is very essential for a man who drives a car to have knowledge of giving break to the car. If he learns merely driving but never learns to give a break, this driving will be very harmful for the driver if he meets with a severe accident, likewise the person having the knowledge of how to lead an artistic life must have the knowledge of giving up the body artistically, happily through the gradual process of Santhārā. The mental attitude of the person who has adopted the vow of Santhārā should be pure in thoughts and must have severed all connections, having forgiven everybody and asked everybody's pardon in sweet words. A person with Right-faith and Right-knowledge would always believe that being born as a human being is itself a rare chance for
