P ursuing Death widens the canvas of enquiry on the Jaina practices of voluntary termination of life, identified with terms such as Santara, Sallekhana, Samadhi, Sanyasana, Aradhana, Bhaktapratyakhyana, Panchapada, Prayopagamana, Ingini, etc. This volume undertakes an in-depth study of both the philosophy and the practice of death, as revealed in a wide variety of texts written in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Kannada as well as a vast body of historical records, dated between the third century BCE and nineteenth century CE. The book presents the theory and practice of voluntary termination of life in historical perspective.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 275-281) and index.

Also available as an e-book.