Life of Vision by Pujya Guruji – Part 4 - Death! How to look at one's mortality!

Life of Vision by Pujya Guruji – Part 4 - Death! How to look at one's mortality!

Life of Vision is a compilation of Sanskrit verses that mark important occasions in our lives. These have been composed by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda ji. The book is available in Chinmaya publications and a must to own. Below are notes taken from talks by Guruji on these very pertinent topics on how to lead one’s life. The songs from the book and their literal meanings have not been included in the notes below.

Death is inevitable. What a crowded planet this would be if there was no death. Particularly if retired people on pension lived forever how can the nation manage? How can there be succession and progress if there was no retirement despite ageing?

If something is born, it has to go also. Remembering imminent death, enables us to place things in the right perspective. Realizing the impermanence of things starting from one’s own body, one gives up attachments to ephemeral worldly things and turns to Lord. By detachment and renunciation one shines and becomes glorious.

One who remembers the deadline, doesn't waste any time. Thought of death helps us to prioritize and place things in perspective. Work never finishes, it finishes us. Karishyami Karishyami Karishyami iti chintaya, marishyami marishyami marishyami iti vismritam ‘I have to do this, I have to do that’ thinking thus one forgets ‘I will have to die’.

What is the most important thing for hereafter? यो ध्रुवाणि परित्यज्य अध्रुवाणि निषेवते। ध्रुवाणि तस्य नश्यन्ति अध्रुवाणि नष्टमेव हि॥. Leaving what is permanent, one who hankers after the ephemeral; for him the permanent is destroyed too and the ephemeral is destructible anyway. At last he is left with nothing indeed! What is to be done here, should be done. But there's a limit and I should not forget the ultimate purpose for which everything is done. Bhaja Govindam says यद्यपि लोके मरणं शरणं,तदपि न मुञ्चति पापाचरणम्  Even though it is well known that in this world death is the ultimate end, man does not give up his sinful behavior. On should always remember, Dharmo Mitram Mritasya Cha| after death one's Dharma is one's best friend.

When Gurudev insisted Tapovan ji to come to Delhi to take care of his health, Tapovan ji quipped “Why Delhi? Does none die in Delhi?” Further he explained, “If suppose an old friend having come to see you, noticing that you are busy with some work and people, just waits behind patiently for long hours; would you not go out to meet him once all the work is done? My friend, Death having born along with me, has been patiently waiting for me all long. Should I not attend to him?”

The enlightened die once. We must vow: I will work for Death of ego. We are afraid of death because of our attachments and sins. The uncertainty of where would I go thereafter causes fear and anxiety. Material things are not attached to us. With respect to material things, attachment is always one-sided. House ultimately belongs to cockroaches. Big fortresses are in ruins, bats and rats are the permanent residents.

Whereas one who seeks refuge in Lord’s name shall cross the ocean of samsara. The Lord promises: matprasAdAt tarishyasi. In Lord’s jurisdiction, Mrityu has no place. Bhaja Govindam says for one who has worshipped Lord Krishna at least once, there is no discussion with the Lord of Death (Yama). sakRidapi yena murAri samarchA kriyate tasya yamenana charchA   

   Therefore, rising above all attachments seek the eternal!!! Choose Dharma here and Lord forever.