‘I want to go to the Himalayas, to meditate and pray that none of my family members die,’ declared eight-year-old Arjun tearfully. He had recently seen the passing away of three great aunts and an uncle and was terribly upset as he had known them all since his childhood. It was very traumatic for him, seeing such sad faces and tears.
‘Every thing that is born has to die, my dear’ consoled his mother, ‘That is the rule of nature. Every living thing, be it a plant, an animal or a human being has to die some day. It cannot live forever.’
He was not convinced. He wanted to find out ways and means to prolong life and never die.
‘Why? Why? Why?’ is the question often raised in all our minds when a near and dear one expires. Even if that person was eighty plus, bedridden and immobile, that does not matter. It is the emotion, a feeling of a great big void left behind by that person. No one wants a near and dear one to go but that is the way of the world. And one has to bow before it.
What is death? It is a change of the physical body into a spiritual one. Though no one knows what happens after death, one can only surmise. What happens to the soul, what happens when one dies, many have tried to find out, and have given their theories and suggestions. That one’s karma may result in a rebirth, that if one’s karma is good, then the rebirth is good but if one has done bad deeds, his next life is bad. It is like an action and reaction. One pushes and gets pushed back, one jumps and reaches the ground. Every action has some reaction.
Some philosophers have said that the soul merges with the divine and is happy. The concept of heaven and hell is dinned into our minds from the time we are old enough to understand. Yamadev, St Peter and others are personified and we are all in awe of them or scared of what will happen.
But one thing is certain and that is that everyone has to die. Death is a must and there is no running away. How to die, when to die, is not in our hands. But generally, it is believed that if one has done good deeds in life, the end is also good. And vice versa.
Life has been compared to a train which keeps on moving from one station to another, one platform to another. When the train has reached a station, it has to move on to the next one. And that is life. If our life on this earth is over, it is time to move on and get into another. Moksha, karma, good and bad deeds are weighed and the next station in our life is determined. Whether it is the pearly gates or Yama’s abode, every person has to go and attend.
‘Death is the greatest illusion of all’ said Osho
Bhagwad Gita says, ‘Death is sure for all which is born, as birth for that which is dead. So grieve not for that which is inevitable.’
Some other philosopher opined, ‘Every day when we wake, we are different. The yesterday’s person is dead and this is a new one. When death happens all the time, why fear it?’
Philosophy and philosophical words aside, one cannot help being sad, being tearful when someone dies, even if it is an animal.
Sonu was a cheerful, happy and naughty dog. For fifteen years he entertained his masters, he looked after them and even the new born baby of the family. He never hurt anyone intentionally or unintentionally. But one day he suddenly decided to die. He stopped eating, then even drinking water. He would gaze tearfully at his mistress who adored him, and would rub his head against her sari.
Two days later he was still lingering, not in his senses but alive. Someone said, ‘Remove his collar, it is that which bonds him to this live,’ and when it was removed, he breathed a deep breath, rolled his eyes and his tongue and was no more. From an active happy pet, he had given up his life within a couple of days. He knew his end was near and voluntarily gave up food and drink. His family grieved but there was nothing to be done. He had come from dust and returned back to dust.
When it comes to human beings, there are a few who feel intuitionally that their death is near. They come to terms with it, do everything possible for their kith and kin and leave this world without any worry.
A friend who had a serious heart problem, felt his end was near. I had invited him home as he had come to my city on an official visit and was feeling a bit low. I did not want him to be in a hotel and had invited him home. He said, ‘I will be going away from here itself so do not want to trouble you.’ At three thirty at night, we received a call saying that he had a massive heart attach and was no more. He had felt that his end was near and was prepared.
Another person who was ailing but was still active, promised her children that she would go away without troubling anybody and that is what she did. She left this world while she was asleep and her family knew of it only in the morning when she did not get up and her body had turned cold.
Death comes to everyone and each one is different. Some go peacefully, others violently, and still others being sick. A health issue, an accident, a depression can all result in death.
Death is inevitable for all. Hence, death be not proud. You are part of our lives. Nothing new or different and you are not doing a great job or a favour. You have to visit everyone, it is your duty, so do it and not be proud.