Sallekhana Jain community. It has not been a "practical or general goal" among Svetambara Jains for many years. It was revived among Digambara monks. In 1955, Acharya Shantisagar, a Digambara monk took the vow because of his inability to walk without help and his weak eye-sight. In 1999, Acharya Vidyanand, another Digambara monk, took a twelve-year-long vow. Between 1800 and 1992, at least 37 instances of "Sallekhana" are recorded in Jain literature. There were 260 and 90 recorded Sallekhana deaths among Svetambara and Digambara Jains respectively between 1993 and 2003. According to Jitendra Shah, the Director of L D Institute of
Digambara Samiyar Sattanathan Pillai. One night Digambara Samiyar passes by at Alangaram house. He overheard the judge and Alangaram in conversation and their cruel intention. On his way Vadivambal was attacked by robbers. Digambara Samiyar passes by and saves her and gets to know about Vadivambal's forceful wedding arrangement with Sattanathan's brother Masilamani. While they reached Mannargudi, they were attacked by Masilamani and Namachivaayam Pillai. However Kannapa passes by and rescues Vadivambal and Digambara Samiyar. Both Kannapa (P. V. Narasimha Bharathi) and Vadivambal fall in love at first sight. Velayudha Pillai and Kannapa greet Digambara Samiyar into their house. Velayudha Pillai had