Jain monk embraces death through 'Sallekhana'

Nispruha Sagar Muni Maharaj,75, attained Samadhi through ‘Sallekhana’ at Kuteera of Jain seers near Sri Chandranatha Swami Basadi in Dharmasthala on Tuesday.

He was on Sallekhana Vratha (a religious practice of voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids) from Monday. According to Jainism, it is a vow taken for spiritual purification.

Muni Maharaj hailed from Kishangarh in Rajasthan. He had studied up to SSLC at his village. He took monastic vows as he was passionate about meditation and non-violence since childhood. He had embraced the life of a Jain Muni under the guidance of Acharya Sri Vardhaman Sagar Munimaharaj in Champapuri in 2009.

He had arrived Dharmasthala on February 3 to take part in Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony from February 9 to 18. All the members of Muni Sangha and Mathajis had observed fasting on Tuesday and were engaged in meditation.

The last rites of the seer were performed near the Basadi under the guidance of 108 Acharya Sri Vardhaman Sagar Muni Maharaj and 108 Pushpadanta Sagar Muni Maharaj.

Muni Maharaj’s children (born before he took monastic vows) Sanjay Kumar and Puneeth Kumar lit the pyre, a source said.