20/02/2022
๐ฆ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐ - ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ฌ๐
Su***de is referred to as โAtmahatya,โ in Hinduism. Atmahatya is said to produce a string of karmic reactions that prevents the soul from obtaining liberation. In Hinduism, taking oneโs life is considered a violation of the code of Ahimsa (non-violence). Su***de is frowned upon in Hinduism for the following reasons:
๐ป๐ข๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐ท๐๐ฃ๐๐๐
Each living and breathing human body is divine. This makes our body the very temple that houses the individual soul as well as divinities who depend upon it for their nourishment. If the body is prematurely killed or destroyed, the divinities who reside in it are permanently destroyed as well.
๐ท๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐บ๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐
Each human being is created by God and has a unique role and responsibility. Willful act of su***de for selfish reasons interrupts that process and the orderly progression of events, disrupting the family lineage, the birth of progeny, nourishment of gods, and the proper function of society. It is evidently a willful disobedience to God and his laws.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ท๐ข๐ก๐ฆ
The human birth entails certain duties and obligations towards oneself, others, ancestors and gods. When a person commits su***de, such duties remain unattended. This is negligence of obligatory duties, which in Hinduism is considered bad karma having consequences not only for the individuals responsible but also for those who may be affected by such actions.
๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ข๐
According to Hindu beliefs if a person commits su***de, the soul neither goes to heaven nor hell. It remains in the earth plane as a spirit and wanders aimlessly until the expected life span on earth is fulfilled. Thereafter, it is believed to be that he or she does not go to heaven and the suffering continues. In the end, the lost soul returns to the earth to take birth and start from there afresh to continue its journey in the Samsara (the cycle of births and deaths) and complete its previous karma. This only goes to show that su***de is not a solution.
๐๐ช๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ ๐ค๐๐ฉ๐๐ฃ ๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐ก๐
Suicidal thoughts can happen to anyone for a number of reasons. Usually, suicidal thoughts occur when a person is in intense emotional pain and doesnโt see a way out. Here are some things you can do to counter these thoughts:
โข ๐
๐๐๐โ ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐ โ๐๐๐: Talk to your family members, close friends or counsellors who can help you cope with the situation. You can even write or text to them if you have difficulty in expressing yourself.
โข ๐ป๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐ก: Avoid trigger suicidal thoughts. These thoughts can differ from person to person. Practice mental coping methods to bear with pain, suffering and disappointments. Spend time with family or friends every day if possible.
โข ๐บ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐: Promise yourself not to do anything right now. Give yourself some time to think through and put a distance between your thoughts and actions.
โข ๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐: Donโt let fear, shame or embarrassment stop you from seeking help. You will be surprised at how many people out there suffer in silence.
โข ๐ป๐๐๐ ๐๐กโ๐๐๐ ; โ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ : Know that life upon earth is a rare opportunity and should not be wasted and you will find a purpose greater than yourself. You may even engage in social work where you can help others and in the process help yourself.
โข ๐๐๐๐: Practising yoga; meditation and breathing techniques can significantly improve a personโs mental well-being. This creates mental clarity and calmness thus reducing anxiety and depression.
โข ๐ธ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐: When you exercise regularly, your body releases chemicals called โEndorphinsโ. Endorphins may trigger a positive feeling in the body and also help keep depression and anxiety from coming back. Exercise takes your mind off worries; help gain confidence; and may even create an opportunity to meet more friends.
โข ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐๐: If you are prone to frequent depression and nothing seems to boost your morale or happiness, do seek help from a professional practitioner who would be able to help you.
๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐จ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐
The death of a loved one is never easy to experience, whether it comes without a warning or after a long struggle with illness. Death by su***de makes the grief process more challenging. Family members and friends may feel guilty, wishing they could have done more to prevent the final act. They may even live in guilt and blame themselves for not recognising the warning signs. This may carry on for the rest of their lives.
๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐-๐ญ๐ต ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ
During pandemic, su***de cases are on the rise. For further information and helplines, please see the following articles:
โข Su***de cases in Singapore highest in 8 years amid COVID-19 pandemic (Channel News Asia); https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/su***de-highest-record-elderly-mental-health-isolation-covid-19-1984716
โข 452 su***des reported in Singapore in 2020 amid Covid-19, highest since 2012 (The Straits Times) https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/452-su***des-reported-in-singapore-in-2020-amid-covid-19-highest-since-2012.
Call us for a free counselling session with our in-house volunteer, counsellor who can help arrange for a one-to-one session or a family/group session:
KALAI : 8893 9324
***de
