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In September this year, Vimla Devi from Jaipur died after
fasting for 14 days in keeping with a jain custom. A week later;
Amar Chand also performed the Jain custom of santhra. Both these
deaths resulted in campaigners protesting against this ancient
practice of starving oneself to prepare for death. The campaigners
want to custom banned, calling it akin to suicide. Members of the
Jain community, in turn , have protested against santhara being
equated to suicide and sati.
The fact of the matter is santhara is not killing oneself,
but preparing oneself for death. In essence, it is about minimising
one's attachment towards one's body. The sole purpose of santhara is
to achieve complete emancipation from the mortal body. Suicide, on
the other hand, is undertaken when life becomes unbearable or the
result of the fear. Suicide is not only a crime, but it is also a
sin. The Jain practice of santhara, however, is conducted only in
old age with the full concurrence of members of family who in turn
cooperate with the one performing this last rite.
Jains believe that life should be lived with grace and
dignity. Death is also given the same respect as life as both life
and death are seen as not opposing events, but parts of one
continuous phenomenon.
The Jain manuscript, 'Ratna Karand Shrav Kachar' states that
at the time of extreme old age or when stricken by an incurable
disease, a Jain Shrawak should reduce his or her attachment towards
life and practice santhra.
Stalwarts in India's history like Chankya and Vinoba Bhave
accepted santhra during the last days of their lives. In case
of Bhave, not even the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, could
break his vow.
So by no stretch of imagination can santhara, as
defined in the Jain faith, be equated with suicide. Its sole
objective is to death oneself from life, not to kill oneself.
by - D.R. Baid ( Hindustan times December 28,
2006)
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