Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

Author(s): Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 174

Place of suicide...
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should useful funeral riles be performed for them.21 The Vişnusanhita (1st-3rd century A.D.) has also nothing but condemnation for such persons.92 The Mahābhārata also states that one who commits suicide does not reach blissful worlds. 23 The Yamasmiti (6th-7th century A.D.) prescribes harsh punishment and declares that, when a person tries to do away with himself by such methods as hanging, if he dies, his body should be smeared with impure things and if he survives, he should, along with his friends and relatives be fined.24 Parāśara (7th century A.D.), 28 Samyarta 36 and Likhita Smslis 27 (8th century A.D.) denounce such self-killing outright. Suicides are generally censured with few exceptions. If a Brāhmin is overtaken by disease or great misfortunes, he is permitted to walk straight on in a north-easterly direction subsisting on water and air until his body sinks to rest, 8 Atri approves this view of Manu and states that "if, one who is very old, candot observe the rule of bodily punification (owing to extreme weakness): one who is so ill that no medical help can be given, kills himself by throwing himself from a precipice or into water or fire or by fasting, mourning should be observed for him for three days and deatii rites should be performed for him. 29
We have seen that in general, suicides were universally condemned throughout the ancient and mediaeval times in Hindu law-books and society. Not only this brutal treatment 10 the bodies of suiciders were prescribed by ancient and mediaeval law givers to check the cases of suicide in society, Ancient and mediaeval Hindu society as a whole, disapproved the suicidal tendency. Brutal treatments to the bodies of suiciders where prescribed to prevent this tendency to commit suicide. In modern Indian society, this ordinary suicide is increasing on a remarkable scale on account of frustration, emotional conflicts and family unbappiness. In the eves of modern Indian Law, suicide is a crime which is punishable under section, 309, of Indian Penal Code. Here again, as in ancient
21. History of Suicide in India, p. 54. 22, Vişnusamhitā, ed. Jolly, Calcutta, 1881, XIX-8-9; XX-6-7; XXXII-1-2. 23, Mahābhārata. Ādiparva, Pub : Bhandarkar Oriental Institute, Poona, 179-80. 24. Yamasmrti, 20-21, quoted in History of Suicide in India, p. 57. 25. Parasarasmiti, cd, Vamanasastri Islam Purkar, Bombay Sanskrit Series, 1898.
Vol. II, Part I, IV-1-2, pp. 18-19. 26. P. V. Kane, History of Dharma Sastra Pub. Bhandarkar Oriental Research
Institute, Poona, 1941, Vol. II, Part-I. 27. Ibid. 28, Manusmrti, VI-31, p. 467. 29. Atrismrti, 218-19, qoted in History of Suicide in India, p. 89.