Samadhimaran

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Samadhimaran" by Dr. Rajjan Kumar:

Book Title: Samadhimaran (समाधिमरण) Author: Dr. Rajjan Kumar (डॉ० रज्जन कुमार) Publisher: Parshwanath Shodhpith, Varanasi (पार्श्वनाथ विद्यापीठ, वाराणसी) Year of Publication: 2001

Central Theme: The book "Samadhimaran" (also known as Sallekhana, Santhara, Pandit-marana) is a profound exploration of the Jain concept of voluntary death, undertaken with equanimity and spiritual purpose. It delves into its philosophical underpinnings, historical context, ethical dimensions, and practical aspects within Jain tradition.

Key Concepts and Arguments:

1. The Nature of Death: The text begins by acknowledging the inevitability of death, which is inextricably linked with birth. It contrasts two types of death:

   • Pandit-marana (ज्ञानी मरण / समाधिमरण): Death accepted with knowledge, equanimity, and detachment by the enlightened. This is characterized by self-control and spiritual awareness.
   • Bala-marana (बाल मरण): Death occurring out of ignorance, fear, and attachment to worldly pleasures. This is an involuntary and often painful experience. The author emphasizes that fear of death leads to being its victim, while fearlessness leads to a form of immortality.

2. Samadhimaran as a Conscious Choice: The book defines Samadhimaran not merely as dying but as a deliberate act of renouncing life with a peaceful and virtuous state of mind. It is described as a voluntary relinquishing of the body, achieved through detachment from worldly possessions, relationships, and the body itself. This process involves the gradual cessation of intake (food, water) and the purification of the mind through contemplation and spiritual practice.

3. Purpose and Significance:

   • Renunciation of Attachment (Mamattva Tyaga): Samadhimaran is primarily a means to sever attachments, especially the deep-seated attachment to the physical body.
   • Spiritual Purity (Atmashuddhi): It's a process of self-purification and soul refinement, aimed at shedding karmic impurities.
   • Protection of Dharma (Dharma Raksha): In situations where maintaining one's spiritual vows (like celibacy) or religious principles becomes impossible due to insurmountable circumstances (like terminal illness or severe hardship), Samadhimaran is considered a means to uphold Dharma.
   • Liberation (Moksha): The ultimate goal of Samadhimaran is liberation from the cycle of birth and death. By mastering the art of dying, the soul can achieve its ultimate aim of Moksha.
   • Control over Death: Unlike involuntary death where death controls the individual, Samadhimaran signifies the individual's mastery over death.

4. Conditions for Undertaking Samadhimaran: The text outlines specific conditions or auspicious times to undertake this practice:

   • Incurable Diseases or Old Age: When the body becomes too frail and incapable of performing even basic functions or pursuing spiritual goals.
   • Imminent and Unavoidable Death: Facing circumstances where death is certain and insurmountable.
   • Threat to Spiritual Purity or Vows: When maintaining one's ethical conduct or religious vows becomes impossible, leading to a potential fall from grace.
   • General Weariness of Life: When life's journey has been meaningfully lived and the individual feels ready to transition.

5. Methods of Samadhimaran: The book details various practices associated with Samadhimaran, often categorized as types of Sallekhana:

   • Bhakta Pratyakhyana: Renunciation of all food and drink.
   • Ingini: Renunciation of food, with the practitioner themselves managing their basic bodily needs (within limitations).
   • Padayapagamana: Complete cessation of all bodily movements and self-care, accepting death in a fixed posture, like a tree. The text discusses the progressive reduction of food intake and the deepening of spiritual practice during the period leading up to death.

6. Distinction from Suicide: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to differentiating Samadhimaran from suicide. Key distinctions include:

   • Motivation: Samadhimaran is driven by spiritual purpose, detachment, and the desire for liberation, whereas suicide is often driven by despair, impulsivity, emotional turmoil, and worldly frustrations.
   • Mental State: Samadhimaran is undertaken with equanimity, peace, and spiritual focus, free from passion or agitation. Suicide is typically characterized by intense emotional states, anger, greed, or delusion.
   • Process: Samadhimaran is a gradual, planned, and spiritually disciplined process, while suicide is often sudden and impulsive.
   • Intent: Samadhimaran is considered "Atma-raksha" (self-preservation of the soul's purity), while suicide is seen as self-destruction.

7. Jain Literary Sources: The book extensively references Jain scriptures (Agamas) and commentaries that discuss Samadhimaran. These include:

   • Agamas: Acharanga Sutra, Sthananga Sutra, Samavayana Sutra, Upasakadashanga Sutra, Antakritdasha Sutra, Anuttaropapataikdasha Sutra, Uttaradhyayana Sutra, Dashavaikalika Sutra.
   • Commentaries and Other Texts: Mulachara, Bhakta Pratyakhyana, Mahapratiyakhyana, Maranavibhaga Prakirnaka, Bhakti Parigraha, Samyashataka, Ratnakaranda Shravakachara, Dharmamrita (Sagara), Upasakadhyayan, Bhagavati Aradhana, Tattvartha Vartika, Sarvartha Siddhi, etc. The author highlights the detailed discussions on Samadhimaran found in these texts, including the classification of deaths and the yogic practices involved.

8. Historical Context and Examples: The book presents historical evidence of Samadhimaran through inscriptions and literary accounts, spanning from ancient times (e.g., Badrabahu's disciple Prabha-chandra, possibly Chandragupta Maurya) through the medieval period (numerous examples from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) and into the modern era (mentioning ascetics and lay followers who practiced it). This demonstrates the continuity of the tradition.

9. Comparison with Other Traditions: The author briefly touches upon similar concepts in other Indian traditions like Hinduism (Sati, Johar, Mahaprasthana) and Buddhism, highlighting the unique Jain perspective on Samadhimaran, particularly its emphasis on detachment, spiritual purification, and the non-violent, gradual relinquishing of the body through fasting, rather than violent or impulsive methods.

10. The Twelve-Year Practice: The text elaborates on the detailed discipline associated with a twelve-year practice of Samadhimaran, involving progressive reduction of food intake, various forms of penance, control over passions (kashayas), and deep meditation.

Overall Contribution: "Samadhimaran" by Dr. Rajjan Kumar serves as a comprehensive and scholarly treatise on a vital aspect of Jain ethics and philosophy. It meticulously explains the concept, its scriptural basis, historical practice, and its profound distinction from suicide. The book aims to clarify the spiritual significance of this practice, emphasizing its role in achieving ultimate liberation and mastery over death, not through fear or despair, but through knowledge, equanimity, and unwavering spiritual discipline.