________________
78 : Śramaņa, Vol 66, No. 3, July-September 2015 peaceful spiritual death cannot be regarded as the suicide at any cost because here we have a logic and spiritual reason behind the acceptance of Santhārā. It is very often seen that the self has more attachment with one's own body; he cares for it with all hooks and crooks. But during Santhārā period, the practitioner realizes that body and passions are the main causes of inflow of karmas. So prior to the acceptance of the vow, one is required to give up all feelings of hatred, companionship and worldly attachments with a pure and calm mind. He/she should obtain permission from the guru and householders from their nearest relatives and ask forgiveness from one's kinsmen and from others with all humanity at the same time forgiving them sincerely. Death by Santhārā according to scriptural rules is the victory of the soul over karmas and other infirmities of the mind and body.
This systematic process of Samādhimaraņa influenced even Vinoba Bhave to such an extent that once he commented, I wish to die according to the Jaina system of peaceful death. So Santhārā is a Jaina religious injunction essential for shedding off karmas and purification of soul. So such an auspicious death can never be compared with suicidė. Sri Ravi Shankar comments that those people who are not familiar to Jaina vows, views, various practices and rituals claim that Santhārā is suicide. A man of less intellect only commits suicide to get rid of one's physical diseases, mental disorders and other unfavourable situation that is why, it is rightly said that "Suicide is the temporary solution to the permanent problem." While a man of intellect observes Santhārā to get rid of bhavavyādhi i.e. wandering disease which is material cause of all the problems. There is thus difference between suicide and Santhārā as regards intention, situation, means adopted and the consequences of death.
Conclusion
Thus the basic concept of undertaking the vow of Santhārā as Samadhimarana is that a man who is the master of his own destiny
