SANTHARA Meaning and
Definition
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Santhara is a term derived from the Jain tradition and refers to a spiritual practice involving voluntary fasting to the point of death. It is considered an extreme form of asceticism and self-discipline, aimed at purifying the soul and attaining liberation from the cycle of birth and death. In Jainism, an ancient Indian religion, the ultimate goal is to achieve moksha, or liberation, by shedding all worldly attachments and desires, and santhara is believed to be a means to attain this ultimate spiritual goal.
During a santhara, the practitioner refrains from taking any food or water and gradually decreases their bodily activities. They embrace pain and suffering as a means to detach themselves from the physical world, considering it a path to purity and enlightenment. Santhara is typically undertaken by those who have reached an advanced stage of spiritual maturity and are deemed ready to renounce their earthly existence.
Practitioners of santhara are highly revered in Jainism, as their self-sacrifice is seen as a noble act of devotion and commitment to the spiritual path. It is considered a profound form of non-violence, as the individual voluntarily chooses to abstain from sustenance and willingly embraces death without causing harm to other living beings. Critics argue that santhara may infringe upon the right to life, while proponents view it as a deeply personal and religious act of self-realization.
Etymology of SANTHARA
The word "santhara" is an ancient Jain religious practice of fasting unto death, also known as sallekhana. The term "santhara" is derived from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language.
Etymologically, "santhara" is composed of two Sanskrit words: "santa" meaning "quiet" or "calm", and "hara" meaning "destroyer" or "remover". Therefore, "santhara" can be understood as a process or practice that removes or destroys disturbances and attachments, leading to a peaceful state.
In the context of Jainism, "santhara" is a voluntary fast undertaken by individuals who have reached an advanced stage in their spiritual journey. It is regarded as a means to detach oneself from worldly desires and to purify the soul.
