Latest news with #DepartmentofArchaeologyandMuseumsinKarnataka
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
What is Santhara? Jain ritual in focus after MP girl, 3, dies during ‘death fast'
The centuries-old Jain ritual 'Santhara', which involves fasting until death, gained attention following the death of a three-year-old girl from Madhya Pradesh. The child, Viyana Jain, had been suffering from a brain tumour, and her IT professional parents chose to lead her through this religious practice after consulting with their spiritual leader, Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj. Viyana passed away on March 21 in Indore. This week, the Golden Book of World Records recognised Vinaya as the "youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara." The girl's parents, Piyush and Varsha Jain, confirmed they followed the advice of their spiritual leader, according to HT's previous report. Why is this making news now? The ritual raises questions about its legality and practice. Know more about Santhara, its tradition, and whether it is legally permissible. Santhara, also known as 'sallekhana or samadhi maran', is described in various Jain texts as the voluntary act of facing death through fasting. According to A Sundara, head of the Department of Archaeology and Museums in Karnataka, the underlying concept of this vow involves complete control over human passions and gradually abstaining from food and drink. The term sallekhana comes from the words "sat" (truth) and "lekhana" (emaciation), symbolising the act of voluntary physical weakening. It signifies the belief that reducing the body's strength helps eliminate the source of suffering, which is considered a barrier to the soul's liberation. This ritual is seen as a conscious religious act aimed at emancipating the soul through penance and self-mortification. This vow is a significant aspect of religious practices for both ordained individuals and laypersons. It is prominent in the Jain Canon and highly recommended. However, it is not something that can be undertaken at any time by anyone. Jain scriptures provide clear instructions, stating that sallekhana can only be practiced when a person is nearing death, suffering from old age, incurable disease, or during times of famine. For instance, if a person's deteriorating eyesight leads to repeated violations of the principle of ahimsa, they may choose to end their life through sallekhana. The Jain scriptures and inscriptions refer to this practice using various terms such as samlehana, samadhi, samadhimaran, and sanyasana, and occasionally the term pandita-marana is used to describe this form of death. The Ratnakaranda Shravakachara, a significant Jain text written around the 4th century AD by Samantabhadra, clearly explains the Santhara vow and its guidelines. According to the text, individuals who take the vow must master their emotions, renounce all possessions, and detach mentally from their loved ones. They must also seek forgiveness from others, forgive everyone, and express remorse for their wrongdoings. With a peaceful mindset, they should focus on prayers and gradually cease eating and drinking, fasting until death. The research by A Sundara also addresses opinions suggesting that the practice of Santhara is equivalent to suicide. However, this is not the case. Suicide involves the abrupt taking of one's life through forbidden means, driven by momentary anger or frustration, with no ultimate purpose. In contrast, Samadhi-marana, also known as Santhara, is a deliberate and spiritual act, performed only when nearing death. It is characterised by a calm mental state and strict adherence to religious guidelines. Unlike suicide, which is an escapist act, Santhara is a courageous, determined process aimed at achieving salvation and is a foundational practice in Jain philosophy. The controversy surrounding Santhara gained legal and religious attention in 2015 when the Rajasthan High Court ruled that the practice was punishable under sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 309 (attempted suicide) of the Indian Penal Code. The court argued that voluntarily ending one's life amounted to self-harm and could not be defended as a religious act. However, the decision sparked protests from the Jain community, and a month later, the Supreme Court put a stay on the order, allowing the practice of Santhara to continue under the protection of religious freedom.
NDTV
04-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
All About Santhara, Jain Ritual Of Voluntary Fasting To Death
A three-year-old girl suffering from a terminal illness died after being administered Santhara – a Jain ritual of voluntary fasting unto death – by a spiritual leader in Indore. Viyana Jain, daughter of IT professionals Piyush and Varsha Jain, was diagnosed with brain tumour last December. After surgery and treatment failed, the family turned to spiritual guidance. On March 21, during a visit to Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj, the child was given the Santhara vow with her parents' consent. Minutes later, she died. What Is Santhara? Santhara, also known as Sallekhana, is a Jain religious practice in which an individual voluntarily chooses to end their life through fasting, according to A Sundara, head of the Department of Archaeology and Museums in Karnataka. The practice involves gradually abstaining from food and water, and is undertaken by Jains as a way to purify the soul and attain liberation. The vow cannot be taken at will. According to A Sundara's research, Jain scriptures clearly say that Santhara should only be observed when death is near, or when a person is unable to follow religious duties due to old age, incurable illness, or extreme conditions like famine. For example, if someone's worsening eyesight leads them to unknowingly harm living beings – violating the principle of ahimsa – they may choose Santhara. The Practice Of Santhara An important Jain text from around the 4th century AD, Ratnakaranda Shravakachara by Samantabhadra, gives a clear explanation of the Santhara vow and how it should be followed. The text says that this vow should be taken to free the soul from the body, but only during extreme situations – like a natural disaster, old age, or an illness that cannot be cured. Anyone taking the vow must control their emotions, give up all their possessions, and mentally detach from loved ones. They should forgive everyone, ask for forgiveness, and feel sorry for their wrongdoings. Then, with a peaceful mind, they should focus on prayers and slowly stop eating and drinking and fast until death. Is Santhara Legal? While Santhara is an accepted and revered practice in Jainism, it has faced legal challenges in India. In 2015, the Rajasthan High Court ruled that Santhara should be considered illegal, equating it to suicide under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court's reasoning was that the voluntary decision to end one's life was a form of self-harm and could not be justified as a religious practice. The ruling, however, was met with protests from the Jain community. A month later, the Supreme Court stayed the order, allowing Santhara to continue under religious freedom protections.
