The Times Of India
TNN | Sep 29, 2016, 06.20 AM IST
KOLKATA:
When Sohini Devi Dugar was diagnosed with throat cancer last July, her family took her to reputable hospitals. But at that advanced stage, the 83-year-old's condition deteriorated despite treatment. The octogenarian finally decided to embrace death through Santhara, a voluntary fast unto death practiced among religious Jains.
Dugar, who had to be admitted in hospitals in the past one-and-a-half years, lost her voice due to a tracheastomy. This June, she expressed her desire to undergo Santhara. But the family were still hopeful that medical care would improve her condition. They finally agreed to honour her wishes after Dugar came back from hospital on September 20, after 12 days of hospitalisation. "Since she cannot talk, she ex pressed her wishes in writing. The family was initially hesitant because they were still exploring all possible medical options. But once they realised that her condition was deteriorating, they gave their consent," said Vinod Baid, a family friend.
On Wednesday, the octogenarian entered the ninth day of Santhara, with members of the close-knit community and Jain monks and nuns visiting the family at their Mandeville Garden residence to pray and stand by her.
The Dugars migrated to Kolkata in the early '70s from Rajasthan's Churu district. Part of the Terapanthi sect of Jains, the family members are devotees of Jain monk Acharya Mahashraman. This is the second Santhara in the family after Dugar's father-in-law Bhanwar Lal's.
"We left no stone unturned to get her the best medical attention. But when things did not improve, we decided to honour her wishes. Disciplined, religious and strong-willed, my mother has been a pillar of strength for the family. Me and the rest of the family have learnt a lot of values from her," said Dugar's son Kamal.
The Jains believe that Santara is a way of conquering death. Though it is highly respected practice in the community, not all have the courage to renounce food and other materialistic things to attain moksha.
"In addition to being spiritual, my mother-in-law is brave. We are sad, but at the same time we are honoured to stand by her in this process.In our religion we believe we win over death through Santhara," said Dugar's daughter-in-law Madhu.
Path to Moksha
What is Santhara?
Voluntary fast unto death. Jains believe Santhara is a way to purge oneself of bad karma and achieve moksha by subjugating all passions
3 steps before initiation
- Voluntary decision
- Family's permission
- Guru's permission