Sallekhana (Jain renunciation of the body at the approach of death)

In the rishta appendix, the Jain practice of giving up the body by the scriptural method once fatal signs have shown that death is near, after renouncing possessions and turning to worship and meditation.

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Names and synonyms

Sanskrit: सल्लेखनासमाधिमरण
Hindi: सल्लेखनासमाधि मरण
English: Sallekhana (Jain renunciation of the body at the approach of death)Samadhi-marana

What the text says

Each statement reports the source, with its chapter, page and verse. Traditional descriptions are not presented as proven medical facts.

Other3

After listing the body parts whose disappearance from view marks the time left, the commentary says the wise man, understanding this, should give up his possessions, that is, take initiation (diksha).
Appendix: Rishta · p. 605 · v. 27-29Hindi commentaryTraditional description
Understanding the signs shown by the senses, the wise man who fears worldly existence should give up attachment to the body and leave the body by the method the scriptures teach, which the commentary explains as taking up sallekhana.
Appendix: Rishta · p. 605 · v. 30Hindi commentaryTraditional description
After renouncing possessions, worshipping and meditating, the person seeks samadhi-marana, called the best death among men, contemplating the five-fold salutation; the commentary adds that when the time draws near he should take up sallekhana and remain absorbed in meditation.
Appendix: Rishta · p. 606 · v. 36Hindi commentaryTraditional description

Discussed in topics6

Appendix: the chapter on fatal signs (rishta)परिशिष्ट रिष्टाध्याय Conclusion of the description of fatal signsरिष्ट वर्णन का उपसंहार Sign of death within two monthsदो मास में मरण का चिह्न Signs of death from nine days down to one day (the senses)नौ दिन आदि में मरण के चिह्न Signs of death from three years down to two days (body parts not seen)तीन वर्ष आदि में मरण के चिह्न What a seeker of liberation should do when fatal signs appearरिष्ट प्रकट होने पर मुमुक्षु का कर्तव्य

Questions2

How does the text match parts of the body that a person can no longer see with the time left to live?शरीर के जो अंग व्यक्ति को दिखने बंद हो जाएँ, उन्हें ग्रंथ शेष आयु से कैसे जोड़ता है?What should a seeker of liberation do when fatal signs appear, according to the rishta appendix?रिष्टाध्याय के अनुसार रिष्ट प्रकट होने पर मोक्षार्थी को क्या करना चाहिए?

Sessions1

Signs of approaching deathरिष्टाध्याय

Where else is this mentioned?

Named 3 times on 2 pages. These are automatic name matches, so a few may refer to something else with the same name.

Questions and answers

How does the text match parts of the body that a person can no longer see with the time left to live?

Foot three years, shank two years, knee one year, thigh ten months, waist seven months, belly four months, neck one month, hand fifteen days, arm eight days, shoulder three days, and chest, head and his own shadow two days.

Detailed answer and sources

What should a seeker of liberation do when fatal signs appear, according to the rishta appendix?

He should leave home, vehicles, family and all possessions and go north or east to a large, pure, quiet place free of creatures, such as a place of pilgrimage, a Jina temple, a garden or a forest, worship and meditate there and, wishing for samadhi-marana, take up sallekhana when the time draws near.