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Concept of Santhārā (Samādhimaraṇa) in Jainism : 75 religious holy death. It is not suicide because it is undertaken with awareness. An injury to life motivated by passions is violence."'To commit suicide is to kill oneself out of anger, agony, malice or frustration, whereas fasting to death purges the soul of its passions and perversities by conquering the fear of death. Santhārā is adopted by monks and nuns after the due permission of guru before the huge audience with the open mind of forgiveness and compassion towards all. Lay persons have to acquire permission from their guru and as well as from relatives. The ācārya in a Jaina sect is the responsible authority who decides when and under which situations one should be allowed for such a great vow whereas suicide is committed without such permission, consent and is done with lot of passion, emotional excitements and in isolation. There is a systematic methodology of Santhārā in canonical literature which takes the life span of twelve years of gradual limitation of food, water etc. and minimization of passions. It is done with the due permission of the parents or husband /wife and from spiritual mentor, in the presence of huge public. While suicide is committed in secrecy and by adoption of questionable devices at once.
The seven conditions under which a person can adopt Santhārā are1. incurable disease, 2. old age, 3. if human, infernal, animals cause upasarga (hardships), 4. when a favourable situation are present before the monk for deviation from conduct, 5. due to calamity if pure means of acquiring alms becomes impossible, 6. in furious forest if monks seeks no secured place, 7: the visual power, hearing power decreases and legs do not help in walking, Santhārā can be adopted. Whereas suicide is committed instantly due to the disappointment and frustration in personal life, emotional or sentimental breakdown in married life or love affairs, unexpected and unbearable economic loss in trade or business, sudden and heart breaking grief brought on by the death of the nearest and dearest, appearance of some disease which is incurable or socially reprehensible, sudden development of melancholia or depression
