A devotee’s perspective on death
Let us first understand what death actually is. Death is when a soul leaves its material body. Lord Krishna describes death in the Bhagavad Gita as a change of body in its eternal journey (2.13). Just as childhood, youth, and old age are changes in the body of a soul, death is a similar change. Devotees of God accept this as a positive change because they attain promotion. Such promotion is of three kinds. The first is taking birth in a family that is pure and prosperous (6.41). The next level is being born in a family of wise yogis (6.42). Such a birth is very rare in this world. The highest level is being liberated from the repeated cycle of birth and death in a material body (18.62).
Devotees do not fear death as non-devotees do, who consider it annihilation. Considering oneself as a material body due to gross ignorance of reality is the reason for such fear. Devotees also realise that they have reached a good, better, or best position, as indicated earlier. The topmost devotees, like Swami Vivekananda, knew that they had reached the highest position in their life and were enjoying it. As one must leave the material body, this being the law of nature, they know that what is born must also die. If anything, they wish to leave their material body when they are at the peak of their life. They cannot imagine fearing and dying helplessly. If anything, they make the requisite preparations for leaving the body. They sense that when the life force reduces appreciably, God is indicating that it is time to leave the body, and they depart in full God consciousness.
They have also realised two more facts. The closure of life is essential; the material body cannot continue indefinitely. It deteriorates, making even the maintenance of the body very difficult. Personally speaking, I am forced to do many exercises to keep my different body organs and faculties healthy. The ‘jara’ (miseries of old age) are hard to bear, especially because they come in the way of doing ‘bhakti’ (devotion to God). The other reason I have already mentioned is that they are due for promotion. God is ready to take them from the present body and relocate them in a superior family or in a spiritual body, that is, by granting liberation (18.66). God ensures that such death occurs at the right time for all concerned. God is very merciful; He is aware of our love and concern for our near and dear ones.
Everything is planned perfectly for His devotees — where they are going and what duties they will be required to perform next. Like God Himself (3.22), His devotees are always gainfully engaged, even after attaining liberation. Narada Muni, frequently mentioned in our scriptures, is a classical example of a devotee undertaking service for the Lord. Such service is highly pleasing to God. What, then, is the conclusion? Fear of death can be reduced by these three steps. One, realise that I am a soul, not a material body, which must die; I will not. Two, I will attain a better birth because I am a good person. Third, one should take shelter of God and become a devotee.
The writer is a spiritual teacher and a popular columnist ; views are personal
