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First Post
05-05-2025
- Health
- First Post
What is Santhara, the Jain ritual of 'fast unto death' that claimed life of 3-year-old in MP?
The death of a three-year-old girl with a brain tumour, shortly after her parents made her observe a Jain fasting ritual, in Madhya Pradesh's Indore has left many shocked. This week, the Golden Book of World Records named Vinaya the 'youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara'. Notably, Santhara is an ancient Jain practice where a person voluntarily gives up food and water, awaiting death as a means to cleanse the soul and attain spiritual liberation read more A row broke out after a three-year-old girl with a brain tumour died shortly after her parents made her observe a Jain fasting ritual in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. The girl, Viyana Jain, was their only child. Her parents said she passed away on March 21. She had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Her parents, who work in the IT sector, followed the advice of their spiritual guide, Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj, before taking this step. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ | What is China's 'ghost wedding' tradition of marrying the dead? On March 21, during a visit to the monk, the child was given the Santhara vow with the agreement of her parents. Just minutes later, she died. In this explainer, we look at what the Jain ritual is, what happened to the girl, and why her death has led to a row. What is 'Santhara'? Santhara is an age-old Jain ritual in which a person chooses to give up food and water and peacefully wait for death. It is seen as a way to cleanse the soul and move towards spiritual freedom. It is also known as 'Sallekhana'. The term sallekhana is formed from sat (truth) and lekhana (to thin or wear away), and it reflects the idea of weakening the body on purpose. Jains believe that this helps remove suffering, which blocks the soul's path to liberation. This vow is considered a serious religious decision and is based on the idea of penance and letting go of worldly ties to free the soul. Both monks and laypeople may follow this practice, but it is not taken lightly. It is prominent in the Jain Canon and is strongly encouraged, Hindustan Times reported. However, not everyone is allowed to take this vow at any time. A Sundara, who heads the Department of Archaeology and Museums in Karnataka, said in his research that Jain texts are clear that Santhara should only be done in certain conditions. These include old age, a serious illness with no cure, or times of extreme hardship like famine, when a person can no longer follow their religious path in regular ways. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One of the oldest Jain texts that mentions this is Ratnakaranda Shravakachara, written by Samantabhadra in the 4th century AD. It explains how the vow should be taken and under what conditions. According to the text, a person must remain calm, give up all personal belongings, and emotionally distance themselves from their loved ones. They should forgive everyone, seek forgiveness, and feel regret for any wrongs they have done. With a clear and peaceful mind, they are then expected to pray and slowly stop eating and drinking, continuing this fast until death. Is Santhara legal? The debate around Santhara intensified in legal and religious circles in 2015 after the Rajasthan High Court ruled it a punishable offence under sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 309 (attempt to suicide) of the Indian Penal Code. This decision led to strong opposition from the Jain community, who consider Santhara a sacred and age-old religious practice. Later in 2015, the Supreme Court put the Rajasthan High Court's order on hold. It took note of petitions filed by the Jain community and recognised Santhara as a separate religious practice. The row over the child's death in Indore This week, the Golden Book of World Records named Vinaya the 'youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara.' Her parents, Piyush and Varsha Jain, said they followed the advice of their spiritual guide. Both parents work in the Information Technology (IT) sector and said they chose the Santhara path for their daughter after consulting a Jain monk. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Piyush Jain, the father, told PTI, 'My daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January this year. She underwent surgery, following which her health improved. But in March, her condition deteriorated and she started facing difficulty in consuming food and drinking.' The Golden Book of World Records named Vinaya the 'youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara'. Image: X On the night of March 21, he took his seriously ill daughter to visit Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj along with other family members. 'Maharaj ji saw my daughter's condition and told us that the girl's end is near and she should be given the Santhara vow. This fast holds a lot of significance in Jainism. After thinking about it, we finally agreed to go for it,' he said. He said his daughter passed away within minutes of the monk completing the Santhara rituals. Her mother, Varsha Jain, said, 'I cannot describe how difficult the decision was to make my daughter take the Santhara vow. My daughter was suffering a lot due to the brain tumour. It was very painful for me to see her in this condition.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking of Viyana, she became emotional and said, 'I want my daughter to always be happy in her next birth.' Omkar Singh, a member of the Madhya Pradesh Child Rights Commission, told HT, 'This is a religious practice meant for fully conscious adults, typically the elderly.' 'The toddler could not have possibly consented. We are examining whether this constitutes a violation of child protection laws and will act accordingly.' A senior doctor familiar with the case told the publication, 'She should have been in a hospital receiving palliative care.' With inputs from agencies
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.
Mint
04-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
What is Jain ritual Santhara? 3-year-old battling brain tumour dies after IT couple makes only child 'fast unto death'
Indore: A three-year-old girl named Viyana Jain—battling a brain tumour— passed away after her parents initiated her into the Jain religious practice of fasting unto death in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. What remained, was a Golden Book of World Records. Both the child's parents, Piyush Jain (35) and Varsha Jain (32) are IT professionals, and Vinaya was their only daughter. She passed away on March 21, according to her grieving parents, who acted on the advice of a spiritual leader, Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj, reported PTI. The incident recently came to light after the Golden Book of World Records issued a certificate declaring the child, Viyana Jain, the "youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara." Parents display a certificate recognising their three-year-old daughter, named Viyana Jain, as a world record holder for undertaking 'Santhara', the Jain ritual of fasting unto death, issued by the Golden Book of World Records, in Indore. Viyana Jain was suffering from a terminal brain tumor Santhara—also known as Sallekhana or Samadhi Maran—is a solemn vow in Jainism, where one gradually gives up food and water to embrace death with spiritual detachment, believed to cleanse the soul of karma. Viyana was diagnosed with a brain tumour in December 2024, her parents said. After undergoing surgery in Mumbai that January, her condition initially showed signs of improvement but worsened again by March. When medical efforts failed to stabilise her, the family turned to spiritual guidance. 'Maharaj ji saw my daughter's condition and told us that the end was near, and she should be given the Santhara vow,' Piyush Jain told PTI. The ritual began at 9:25 p.m. on March 21 at the monk's ashram in Indore. Just 40 minutes later, at 10:05 p.m., Viyana passed away. In August 2015, the Rajasthan High Court ruled Santhara as illegal, calling it abetment of suicide under IPC Sections 306 and 309, and not an essential religious practice protected under Article 25 of the Constitution. The court also observed that the Right to Life under Article 21 does not include the right to die. The court directed state authorities to treat Santhara as a criminal offense and register cases accordingly. Later in 2015, however, Supreme Court stayed the Rajasthan HC's verdict, recognising Santhara as a distinct religious tradition, acknowledging petitions from the Jain community. While Vinaya's parents described Santhara as a spiritual send-off for their daughter, the decision has sparked an outcry from child rights advocates and medical professionals. 'This is a ritual intended for fully aware adults, usually the elderly,' Omkar Singh of the Madhya Pradesh Child Rights Commission told Hindustan Times. 'A toddler can't possibly give consent. We're investigating whether this violates child protection laws and will take appropriate action," Singh further added, HT reported. First Published: 4 May 2025, 05:16 PM IST
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.
Hans India
04-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Three-Year-Old Dies After Parents Initiate Jain Fasting Ritual Following Brain Tumor Diagnosis
In a heartbreaking case from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, a three-year-old girl named Viyana Jain died on March 21 after her parents initiated her into the controversial Jain religious practice of Santhara—voluntary fasting until death—following advice from a spiritual leader. Viyana, diagnosed with a brain tumor in January, underwent surgery that initially improved her condition. However, when her health deteriorated in March, making eating and drinking difficult, her parents sought guidance from Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj. "Maharaj ji saw my daughter's condition and told us that the girl's end was near and she should be given the Santhara vow," explained Piyush Jain, Viyana's father, who works as an IT professional along with his wife Varsha. "After thinking about it, we finally agreed to go for it." According to the father, Viyana passed away within minutes of completing the religious rituals. The Golden Book of World Records reportedly issued a certificate recognizing Viyana as "the youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara," a distinction her parents have publicly acknowledged. Varsha Jain expressed the emotional weight of their decision: "I cannot describe how difficult the decision was to make my daughter take the Santhara vow. My daughter was suffering a lot due to the brain tumor. It was very painful for me to see her in this condition." Through tears, she added, "I want my daughter to always be happy in her next birth." Santhara, also known as Sallekhana or Samadhi Maran in Jain terminology, involves gradually reducing food and water intake until death as a means of spiritual purification and worldly detachment. The practice remains legally controversial—in 2015, the Rajasthan High Court declared it punishable under sections related to abetment to suicide and attempted suicide, though the Supreme Court later stayed this order after petitions from Jain religious bodies. This case raises profound questions about religious practices, parental authority, and legal protections for children in situations where religious rituals intersect with medical conditions.
