Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

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

Page 178

Place of sucide...
169
in sacred rivers, and cutting one's throat at Prayāga, were prevalent and considered as meritorious by Hindus in the mediaeval period as in the ancient times. B1 In addition to these, dying under the wheels of Jagannatha's car at puri and throwing oneself down from certain rocks or tree at Prayāga, etc., were also practised in mediaeval age, 59 From the Khairh plates 58 of mediaeval period we learn that, Yasahkarandade va obtained salvation together with his five hundred wives at the famous banyan tree of Prayāga in 1040 A.D. Jayapala, a king of Kabul and Lahore, is also said to have entered fire in 1001 A.D.54 Kadambadeva of Vedi (1042 A.D.) had ended his life in the waters.55 Calukya king Some. švara Anavamalla drowned himself in the Tungabhadra river in 1068 A.D.80 Many such instances are found in mediaeval inscriptions. 87 The statement found in Ra jatarangini (11th century A.D.), that there were certain officers, appointed by the king to supervise prāyopaiešanā indicates that, death by fasting was practised on a large scale in mediaeval period. 88
It is important to note that, only those who were possessed of high ascetic power and detached to worldly desires were permitted to undertake all these kinds of voluntary acts. The ordinary persons lacking in high ascetic power was generally denied resorting to such kinds of methods. Again, there were protests against all these kinds of voluntary deaths from certain corners of ancient, mediaeval and modern Hindu texts. These texts state that, these voluntary deaths are strictly forbidden in Kali-era. 9 Banabhatta (6th century A.D.), vehemently condemns these voluntary deaths.co Writers of 16th and 17th centuries denounced it as an inferior way of death.ci But history tells us that this probibition was never strictly followed or enforced. Jainism has also approved the self-immolation by fasting, which is know as sallekhana. This is a religious vow, which is given a very high place in Acärängasūtra, one of 51. History of Suicide in India, p. 92. 52. Ibid., pp. 92-98. 53. Epigraphia Indica-II, pp. 1-7; XII, p. 211, 54. TK, P. 259. 55. History of Suicide in India. p. 101. 56. Epigraphia Curstatika, Vol. II, verse 136. 57. History of Suicide in India, p. 98-101. 58. Rajatarangini, ed. P.R. Shastri, Pub. Pandita Pustakalaya, Kasi, 1960. VII-1411, 59, History of Suicide in India, p. 88. 60. Kādambari, ed, and pub, P. V. Kane, Girgaum, Bombay, 1920-Purvabhägah, para 177. 61. Narayana Bhatta (c. 1560 A.D.)-Trişthalisetu, pub. Anandashrama Press, Poona,
1915. pp. 290-316; Mitra Mishra (c. 1620 A.D.). Tirtha prakasikā in Viramit rodaya, Benaras, 1917; p. 354. T-22