Atmahatya, or suicide, holds a complex and nuanced position within Hinduism. In the context of dharma, or righteous living, the dharmashastras strongly condemn suicide, categorizing it as a great sin. This moral standpoint is evident in texts such as Parashara Smriti 4.1 and 2; Yama Smriti 20 and 21, which emphasize the gravity of taking one's own life.
However, Hindu scriptures also acknowledge certain
exceptions where suicide is considered permissible, even under specific
circumstances. For instance, a vanaprastha (forest hermit) suffering from an
incurable disease and unable to fulfill his duties, an elderly person
incapacitated due to severe old-age decrepitude or incurable illness, or a
householder who has diligently fulfilled all responsibilities and harbors no
desire to continue living might be exceptions.
These situations were not treated as acts of
self-destruction but rather as religious acts, sanctioned under specific
conditions. The permission for suicide under these circumstances was a
recognition of the challenges posed by inevitable suffering, and it aimed to
provide an avenue for individuals to exit life with dignity when faced with
insurmountable hardships.
Various methods were prescribed for such sanctioned acts of
self-exit. Fasting until death, embarking on a journey until the end
(mahaprasthana), drowning oneself at the confluence of three rivers (Triveni in
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh), or even immolating oneself in a fire prepared from
cow dung cakes were considered permissible in certain contexts.
It is crucial to note that while the religious texts outline
these exceptions, the overall emphasis in Hinduism is on the preservation of
life and the pursuit of dharma. The approval of suicide under specific
circumstances is a testament to the recognition of life's complexities and the
acknowledgment that, in some instances, ending one's life may be a choice
rooted in spiritual or moral considerations rather than sheer despair.