Extreme Fasting

In ancient Indian history, one of topics that fascinates me is the reign of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya (340-298 BCE), and the manner in which it ended.

Chandragupta, the first ruler to unify most of Greater India into one state, decides one day to renouce his throne. He then dons the garments of a Jain monk, steps out of his former capital city Magadha and walks 2184 km to a hill near Sravanabelagola, and slowly, deliberately starves himself to death.

I always thought this was a one-off event. Perhaps the last display of a man's iron will, to prove to himself that just as he could kill and conquer a sub-continent, he could just as methodically conquer his own desire to eat, drink and, to stay alive.

Imagine my surprise when I came across a report in the papers that an elderly doctor in Rajasthan was locking horns with the Indian judiciary because he wanted to follow his father's example by doing exactly the same thing!

It is a living tradition that goes back 2500 years. The Swetambara's call it Santhara while the Digambara sect calls it Sallekhana. Both refer the act of self-purification when an individual decides that all the purposes of life have been served, or when they figure that their body is unable to serve any purpose in life.

On 10 August 2015, the Rajasthan High Court ruled that this Jain practice was illegal because it amounted to 'abetment of suicide' punishable under sections 306 and 309 of the Indian Penal Code. Last week, on 31 Aug., 2015, this decision was stayed by the Supreme Court which noted that the RHC decision lacked a basic understanding of the tenets of Jainism.

In a country where religious practices are often reduced to gaudy publicity stunts, it is good to know that there are traditions at the other end of the spectum as well!

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LINKS / REFERENCES

* Sallekhana - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sallekhana#In_Practice
* I too want a beautifu death - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandragiri_Hill
* Chandragiri Hill - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandragiri_Hill

Wondering about Mt. Kailash

Pick a random place South Delhi and chances are that it is named after the 'abode of Shiva', Mt. Kailash. You have Kailash Colony, Greater Kailash-I, II, III, IV, East of Kailash and West of Kailash. Elsewhere in Delhi, you will find Kailash Apartments, Kailash Hospitals and...the list is endless.

This fondness for Kailash goes much beyond Delhi. The Buddhists say three of their main Buddhas -- Manjushree, Avalokiteshwara and Vajrapani -- all live there in the mountain. The Jains say Rishabh lives there and South Indian mysticism says their greatest yogi, Agasthiya Muni, who is the basis of South Indian mysticism and is one of the seven direct disciples of Shiva, lives in the southern face of Kailash.

How and when did this mountain located beyond the Himalayan ranges, in far-away Tibet, come to occupy such a prominent place in our imagination?

What makes Mt. Kailash truly exceptional is the fact that it lies well beyond the other popular places of worship in the Himalayas. Most of these are located along the tributaries and glaciers that feed the great rivers. But to reach Mt. Kailash, you need to travel along the Kali river valley that cuts through the breadth of the Himalayas. Then, once you are on the other side Lipulekh Pass, on the Tibetan plateau, another long trek takes you between the twin lakes Rakshas Tal and Manasarovar before you finally reach the Mt. Kailash area.

How on earth did the ancient pilgrims find their way to this mountain??

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LINKS

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sadhguru/pilgrimage-to-kailash-the-mystical-library_b_3121912.html
Pics from - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Kailash and KMVN
http://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/adventure/kailash_mansarovar_yatra_itineary.php

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