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extreme old age (accompanied by physical and mental impairment; rendering religious observances impossible);
terminal illness or fatal injury; • when imminent natural death is predicted by astrological and other prognostications.
The first condition is that the ascetic or the surrogate supervising the ritual must be satisfied of the capacity of the aspirant to undertake the ritual. Secondly, the family must give their consent. The sacred-death ritual is generally, though not exclusively, undertaken by ascetics. The ritual must be observed without any of the transgressions mentioned in the scriptures.
The story of the thirty days long holy death ritual of Ananda (a rich merchant in Mahavira's time) and of the Aacaarya Skandhaka, are well known in Jain literature. Two modern holy deaths are equally well known: the Digambar Aacaarya Shantisagara underwent a thirty-six-day ritual in 1955 and, a layman, Jethabhai Javeri underwent a forty-two-day ritual in 1993, are examples which indicate the unbroken continuity, popularity and strength of the ritual.
This ritual may be observed in the home, a forest, a holy place or an upashraya. The ritual consists of the stages as given below: • The aspirant first seeks the required permissions and takes the vow. • The aspirant gradually renounces food, first solids, then liquids and finally water.
Time is spent in engaging in penitential retreat, recitations of confession, condemnation and atonements, asking for forgiveness from all and forgiving all, devotional and auspicious recitations, repetitions of the rosary, scriptural studies, meditation with bodily detachment and reflections on auspicious activities. Besides food, one renounces physical attachments, the passions and sinful activities. Some accept the major vows of ascetics before the expected death. Silent recitations or listening to the Navakara Mantra are undertaken to venerate and take refuge in panca paramesthis (Jain J. 1983: pp.97-99).
Jain Symbol: Figure 5.7 The Jain symbol was adopted in 1969 CE at the 2,500th anniversary of moksa
of Mahavira. (It depicts the transmigratory cycle and the path to liberation)
Abode of the Liberated Souls
Right Faith - Right Conduct
Right Knowledge
Three dots show Triple Faith for Liberation
Heaven
Human
Swastik shows Four Destinies of Worldly Soul
Animal
Hell
Raised Hand is Symbol of Protection and Blessing
Non Violence
Mutual Interdependence of all lives
