Lesson 18
Santharano Path
(religious fast unto death)

ťassa Michchhaami
ďukkadam

May my such sins be dissolved

Ultimately, now that no other work remains, at the time of death, I abandon the body and passions by austerities.
Having swept and cleaned the place to do Santharo (religious fast unto death), having seen the place to dispose the waste, having accepted expiation for the lives crushed during trespassing, laying a bed of grass or straw, sitting on such bed, facing the east or north direction. With crossed folded legs or a posture possible under that state of health, with folded hands and their rotatory movements, by saluting, touching the folded hands to the forehead, say thus, `Salutations, be to Arihant Gods, who have already attained Moksha’.
Thus bowing to Infinite Siddhas and to the present Guru, he who is doing Santharo, remembers the vows taken previously.
Remebering them (the vows), repenting for them, having criticized the blemished, being free from the three types of misdoings, abandoning every type of violence, falsehood, theft, sensuality, wants, worldly belongings, shunning all misdoings from anger to false faith (Ref. lesson no.19) and unworthy acts, I sacrifice as long as I live by three acts like I will not do, I will not ask others to do, I will not encourage the doer (sinner) and three means like mind, speech and body.
Thus abandoning all eighteen types of sins and four types of foods (grains, water, dry fruits, mouth freshners); I now also abandon my body which is beloved, attractive, dear, fond, very dear to my mind, emanating patience, abode of faith, trustworthy, specially worth entrusting, like a box of ornaments, like a basket of precious stones.
Such body of mine, I abandon inspite of feeling cold, hot, hungry, thirsty, inspite of a snake-bite, inspite of being troubled by thieves, inspite of insect-bite, inspite of mosquito-bite, inspite of any disease arising, acidity, giddiness or delirium arising, though various diseases or trying situations arise, I abandon my body to the last breath.
Having abandoned my body, I shall remain indifferent to death. With my such faith and belief, when situations arises to do Santharo, then may it be done in a pure manner, to the extent of my ability.
Of such resorting to Santharo, during death when nothing else is left, there are five blemishes, which are worth knowing but not worth doing, I say them the way they are :
Desirous of privileges of this world (like becoming an emperor after death)
Desirous of privileges of next world (like becoming a divine personality)
Desirous of prolonging the life (with a view of becoming popular)
Desirous of early death (to cut short the physical pain and torture)
Desirous of sensuality.
May my such sins be dissolved.
With previously said lesson of  true faith, Twelve Vratas, including the lesson of Santharo, ninety-nine blemishes, pertaining to that, if any sin has been incurred then may my such sins be dissolved.