what is santharo

General 38 views Asked 04 October, 2025

Quick Answer

Santhāro (also spelled Sallekhana) is the Jain practice of voluntary and gradual fasting to death, undertaken with full awareness and detachment.

Detailed Answer

Santhāro, known as Sallekhana in Jainism, is a highly respected spiritual practice involving a voluntary and gradual reduction of food and liquid intake leading to death. It is undertaken by a person who is free from desires and attachments, aiming to purify the soul and attain liberation (moksha) by shedding karmic bonds. This practice is not considered suicide but a disciplined, conscious, and detached approach to ending life when death is imminent or when one has fulfilled worldly duties. Santhāro is performed with equanimity, without passion or distress, reflecting the Jain principles of non-attachment and non-violence. It is regarded as the ultimate form of renunciation and self-control, symbolizing the soul's final separation from the body and material existence. The practice is supported by Jain scriptures and is undertaken under the guidance of spiritual teachers to ensure it aligns with ethical and philosophical principles.

Source References

Loading references...

Comments (Loading...)

Loading comments...