History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c45.35

v3.c45.35

(17) If the forest hermit suffers from some incurable disease and cannot properly perform his duties or feels death to be near, he should start on the great journey (Mahāprasthāna) turning his face towards the north-east, subsisting on water and air only, till the body falls to rise no more (Manu VI. 31, Yāj. III. 55). The Mit. and Aparārka (p. 945) on Yāj. III. 55 quote a smṛti 'a forest hermit may resort to the distant journey or may enter water or fire or may throw himself from a precipice'.²¹²⁷