A three -year -old girl suffering from a terminal disease died after death Administered Santhara , A Jain ritual of voluntary fasting for death by a spiritual leader in Indore.
The daughter of IT professionals, Viana Jain, Piyush and Varsha Jain were detected the brain tumor last December. After surgery and treatment failed, the family turned into spiritual guidance. On 21 March, during the visit of Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj, the child was given. Santhara Fasting with the consent of your parents. After minutes, she died.
What is Santhara,
Santharaalso known as SauceThere is a Jain religious practice in which a person voluntarily chooses to end his life through fasting, according to this A beautifulHead of the Department of Archeology and Museums in Karnataka. This exercise involves gradually avoiding food and water, and is done by Jain as a way to purify the soul and achieve liberation.
The fast cannot be taken on will.
According to a research by Sundar, Jain Shastra clearly states that Santhara Death should be seen only when death is near, or when a person is unable to perform religious duties due to extreme conditions such as old age, incurable disease, or famine.
For example, if someone’s deteriorating vision causes them to harm the living beings inadvertently – then violates the principle. Non -violence – They can choose Santhara,
Practice Santhara
One important Jain text From around the 4th century, Ratnakaranda shravakachara Gives a clear description of Samantabhadra Santhara How should it be fasting and observing it.
The lesson states that this fast should be taken to free the soul from the body, but only during extreme conditions – such as a natural disaster, old age, or a disease that cannot be cured.
Anyone who takes fast should control his feelings, leave all his property, and mentally separate from loved ones. They should forgive everyone, apologize, and feel sorry for their wrongdoings. Then, with a peaceful mind, they should focus on prayers and stop eating and drinking slowly and fasting until death.
Is Santhara legal?
Whereas Santhara There is an accepted and revered practice in Jainism, it is Facial legal challenges In India. In 2015, Rajasthan High Court ruled Santhara It should be considered illegal, equal to suicide under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The argument of the court was that the voluntary decision to end one’s life was a form of self-loss and it could not be justified as a religious practice.
However, the ruling, Jain community met with protests. A month later, Supreme Court orderedPermission Santhara To continue under religious independence protection.
