शिवार्यकृत भगवती आराधना में चित्रित “समाहित चित्त” का स्वरूप एवं उपयोग : सल्लेखना के परिप्रेक्ष्य में
By डॉ. पी. सी. जैन
Summary
This PDF, from *Jainavidya* (April 2011-2012), explores the concept of "Samahita Chitta" (composed mind) as depicted in Acharya Shivarya's *Bhagavati Aradhana*, specifically within the context of Sallekhana. Sallekhana, a Jain term, means the systematic thinning of both the body and passions. It is a voluntary, joyful practice undertaken when facing incurable disease, extreme old age, or unavoidable calamity, serving as the protector of lifelong vows and conduct. The text distinguishes between constant, moment-to-moment death and the final death of the body, which significantly impacts the soul's future. Sallekhana aims to purify this final death by reducing karmic influx, thereby shortening the cycle of rebirth. The practice involves gradually reducing food through fasting, pacifying passions, cultivating physical stillness, and withdrawing mental, verbal, and physical activities. A key requirement for the practitioner is a "Samahita Chitta," a mind free from unwholesome thoughts, completely under control, and focused on the Ratnatraya (right faith, knowledge, and conduct). Acharya Shivakoti emphasizes that such a mind is essential for faultless conduct. A restless mind, compared to a wild horse or a slippery fish, leads to suffering and endless wandering in samsara. Conversely, controlling the mind destroys the root causes of worldly existence. The text underscores that the fruit of a lifetime of austerity, vows, and study is realized only through a peaceful death. Without it, all spiritual efforts are rendered futile, like a student forgetting lessons at exam time. Therefore, one must strive for Sallekhana according to one's capacity. The practitioner should seek forgiveness from all beings, remain free from desires for praise or attendance, and undertake the vow voluntarily. The ultimate goal is to maintain pure mental states at the end of life, ensuring a favorable rebirth and eventual liberation.
Conclusion
The document underscores that *sallekhana* (or *samadhimarana*) is not merely a deathbed ritual but the culminating fruition of a lifetime of spiritual discipline, without which all prior penance and vows are rendered fruitless. Its primary implication is that the state of the mind at the moment of death is paramount, determining the soul's future trajectory—either toward a swift end to the cycle of rebirth or toward prolonged suffering in lower existences. The text establishes that a "composed mind" (*samahita chitta*) is an indispensable prerequisite for a successful *sallekhana*, as it alone allows for the serene detachment from body and passions necessary for a pure death. Consequently, the outcome for the practitioner who achieves this is profound: the karmic bonds that fuel endless transmigration are severed, leading to a drastically reduced number of future births and ultimately, the attainment of liberation (*nirvana*).