Jain Concept of Sallekhana and Jain Sant Acharya Vidyasagar

Sallekhana, a Jain religious practice, entails voluntary fasting and meditation until death to achieve spiritual liberation. Know all about Jain Concept of Sallekhana and Jain Sant Acharya Vidyasagar.

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Jain Concept of Sallekhana

Sallekhana is a religious practice in Jainism that involves fasting and meditation until death. It is also known as samlehna, santhara, samadhi-marana, or sanyasana-marana.

Sallekhana is a supplementary vow to Jainism’s ethical code of conduct. It is a voluntary practice where someone voluntarily faces death by fasting, gradually reducing their food and liquid intake. Sallekhana is practiced by the most devout Jains when they are nearing the end of their life and normal life is no longer possible due to old age or incurable disease.

Jain philosophy views death as a welcome gateway to the next birth. Sallekhana is an important contribution of the Jainas to biosocial ethics.

Jain Sant Acharya Vidyasagar

Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj was a revered figure in the Jain community, known for his scholarship, teaching, and spiritual leadership. Hailing from Karnataka, he entered monastic life early and attained the esteemed title of Acharya, reflecting his profound knowledge and spiritual attainment. Sallekhana, alternatively called Santhara, is a Jain religious observance where individuals willingly undertake a gradual fast, culminating in death. This practice is not viewed as suicide but rather as a spiritual endeavor for self-purification and liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.

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Jain Concept of Sallekhana Overview

Aspect	Description
Meaning	Sallekhana, also known as Santhara or Samadhi-marana, is a Jain religious practice.
Purpose	It is undertaken to achieve spiritual liberation and transcendence from the cycle of rebirth.
Participants	Practiced by both Jain ascetics and laypeople, particularly those facing advanced age or incurable illnesses.
Principle	Rooted in the Jain principle of non-violence (ahimsa) and detachment from the physical body.
Process	Involves voluntary fasting, gradual reduction of food intake, meditation, prayer, and detachment from worldly affairs.
Intent	Undertaken with a deep sense of detachment and spiritual intent, not out of despair or desire to escape suffering.
Controversy	Subject to debates regarding its ethical implications, especially concerning issues like euthanasia and sanctity of life.
Spiritual Significance	Viewed as a sacred and honorable way to attain spiritual liberation and transcendence.

Is Sallekhana Legal in India?

In 2015, the Rajasthan High Court, responding to a public interest litigation, criminalized the Jain practice of Sallekhana, also known as Santhara, equating it to “suicide” under the Indian Penal Code. Sallekhana involves the voluntary cessation of food and water intake as a means of preparing for death, seen as a way to facilitate the liberation of the soul within Jainism. It is a practice of meditation and fasting that continues until the individual passes away.

However, in 2016, the Supreme Court of India intervened by staying the decision of the Rajasthan High Court and lifting the ban on Sallekhana. The Supreme Court’s ruling recognized Sallekhana as a fundamental aspect of Jainism protected under the right to freedom of religion enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

Santhara Case

In the case of Santhara, the Supreme Court intervened by staying the Rajasthan High Court’s judgment that classified the centuries-old Jain practice as an attempt to suicide, prosecutable under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code. Santhara, also known as Sallekhana, is a supplementary vow within Jainism’s ethical code of conduct. It involves voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing food and liquid intake.

In 2006, a Jaipur-based lawyer, Mr. Nikhil Soni, filed a public interest litigation seeking to declare Santhara illegal and punishable under Indian law. The argument posited that Santhara violated the right to life guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and was not protected under Article 25, which guarantees freedom of religion, as it conflicted with public order, morality, and health.

Representatives of the Jain community countered, stating that Santhara/Sallekhana was an ancient religious practice aimed at self-purification. They argued that it was undertaken when one’s life’s purposes were fulfilled or when the body could no longer serve any purpose.

In conclusion, it was asserted that Sallekhana does not disrupt public order, health, or morality. Rather, it is viewed as the pinnacle of life and death, promoting the soul’s elevation. The right to practice Santhara or Sallekhana is safeguarded under the right to privacy, and its prevalence has been acknowledged since ancient times, even recognized by the Privy Council in 1863. Additionally, Article 26 ensures that every religious denomination has the right to manage its own religious affairs.

Jain Concept of Sallekhana UPSC

Sallekhana, a Jain religious practice, entails voluntary fasting and meditation until death to achieve spiritual liberation. Despite legal challenges, India’s Supreme Court lifted a ban on Sallekhana, recognizing it as a fundamental aspect of Jainism protected under religious freedom. The practice, also known as Santhara, faced controversy over its classification as suicide, yet proponents argue it’s a sacred tradition promoting self-purification and soul elevation, with roots in ancient Jain philosophy.

Jain Concept of Sallekhana FAQs

What is sallekhana in Jainism?

Sallekhana is the practice of meditation and fasting which continues until the point of death.

What is the difference between santhara and sallekhana?

Santhara and Sallekhana are both names for the same ancient Jain ritual of voluntary starvation until death.

What is the Jain concept of death?

Jains believe that the soul has always been here, that the soul cannot be destroyed and that through the process of death, one transitions to a new body.