Sallekhana

thumb|alt=Nishidhi stone with 14th century old Kannada inscription from Tavanandi forest|Nishidhi, a 14th-century Hero stone|memorial stone depicting the observance of the vow of Sallekhana with old Kannada inscription. Found at Tavanandi forest, [[Karnataka, India.]]

' (IAST: ), also known as samlehna, santhara, samadhi-marana or sanyasana-marana''', is a supplementary vow to the ethical code of conduct of Jainism. It is the religious practice of voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids. It is viewed in Jainism as the thinning of human passions and the body, and another means of destroying rebirth-influencing karma by withdrawing all physical and mental activities. It is not considered a suicide by Jain scholars because it is not an act of passion, nor does it employ poisons or weapons. After the sallekhana vow, the ritual preparation and practice can extend into years.