Sanllekhana
This means a planned scheme of fasting and
mortification. This is the process of austerity and penance undertaken to
complete the process of Nirjara (drying up of accumulated karmas). A time
comes in the life of everyone when the physical organs fail to perform
their functions and the body becomes incapable of rendering any service
either to the self or to the society. The physical existence itself
becomes burdensome to all. This is the time to take leave of this world. A
true Jaina realizes this and determines to put an end to such kind of
purposeless existence. He, therefore, enters into a deep meditation at a
suitable place, renounces all food and drink and puts an end to life. Some
ignoramuses confuse this with suicide. But suicide is the cry of
frustration and despair, while this process of Samllekhana is the highest
form if austerity which can be undertaken only by the great souls like
Vinobaji.
Thus Jainism recognises mildest to the hardest forms of
religious austerities as Tapa, provided they are inspired from within and
are in turn helpful to develop the spiritual advancement from within.
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Philosophy
