To become a monk, a person has to work hard. When a person reaches the highest level of consciousness, he becomes a monk. Taking samadhi is also a part of the saint tradition. Jain saint Acharya Vidyasagar also gave up his life in the famous Sallekhna system of Jainism. So let’s know what is the sallekhana method and what is its importance in Jainism, but before that we know why there has been a dispute over it.
Three year old girl dies
It is learned that Viana, a lovely girl from Indore city of Madhya Pradesh, died of suffocation at the age of 3. According to a report by PTI and his parents, the Golden Book of World Records has noticed it and issued a certificate in the name of Viana as “Jain Ritra Santhara fasting the world’s youngest person”. His parents, who work as information technology (IT) professionals, say that he decided to keep his daughter Santhara fast after the advice of a Jain monk.
What did Viana’s parents say?
Talking to PTI on Saturday, the girl’s father Piyush Jain said, “My daughter came to know the brain tumor in January this year. She underwent surgery, after which her condition improved. But in March, her condition deteriorated and she started having trouble eating and drinking.” On the night of 21 March, he took his seriously sick daughter along with his family members to see Jain Muni Rajesh Muni Maharaj.
Rituals in Jainism
Piyush further said, “Maharaj saw the condition of my daughter and told us that the end of the girl is near and she should observe Santhara fast. This fast is very important in Jainism. After considering this, we finally agreed to do it,” he said. Jain said that his daughter died a few minutes after the monk completed the Santhara ritual. Viana died 40 minutes after receiving the diagnosis on 21 March.
He also said that the Golden Book of World Records has recorded his daughter’s name and released the World Record Certificate, in which her name has been recorded as the “Jain ritual Santhara fast -fasting person”.
Mother expressed regret.
The girl’s mother Varsha Jain said, “I can’t tell how difficult it was to tell my daughter to keep Santhara fast. My daughter was in a lot of trouble due to brain tumor. It was very painful for me to see her in this condition.” He also said that he wants his daughter to be happy even in the next life.
What is the ritual of Sallekhna?
Getting samadhi in Jainism is called Sallekhna. According to Jain beliefs, the process of accepting death happily and without any sorrow is called Sallekhna. During this time, when a person is dying or he feels that his death is near, he gives up food and water completely. During this time, the seeker focuses all his attention on God and attains heaven. Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya dynasty, also sacrificed his life in the Sallekhna style.
Importance of counseling rituals
According to Jain beliefs, when a person suffers from drought, old age or any disease that has no cure, he has to renounce his body according to the tradition of Sallekhna. The words ‘Sallekhna’ are made up of the words ‘Sat’ and ‘writing’, which means ‘to account for goodness’. In Jainism, this practice is known by many names Santhara, Sannyas-death, samadhi-death, desire and death.
In Jainism, it is believed that in this way a person can reduce the shackles of his actions and attain salvation. This is a way to apologize to God for good and bad deeds done in life. In fact, this is also the process of accepting death with a peaceful mind.
Which rule is important?
Before committing suicide by the Sallekhna method, a person has to get permission from his guru, only after which this practice can be done. But if someone’s guru is not alive, permission is taken symbolically from them. This method consists of 4 or more people to serve the person taking Sallekhna or Santhara. He makes that person get yoga, meditation, chanting, penance etc. and remains absorbed in the service of that person till the last time.
