What Death Teaches Us About Living Fully
Deepen your understanding of the Bhagavad Gita: Explore chapter 2 with Sri Gaur Prabhu's guidance
Death sits in the corners of human life, quiet, mysterious, yet all-pervasive. It is commonly misconstrued as the antithesis of life; however, it is not the opposite of life. It is, in fact, the logical and natural corollary to life because the only guarantee that life can ever truly offer is death. One that is born must and will die. Success, health, and companionship may or may not unfold.But death is assured, waiting as a silent, inevitable companion of life. Despite its inevitability, the human mind struggles to accord acceptance to the process of death and dying. The Bhagwad Gita gently reminds us that: "Jatasya hi dhruvo mrityuh, dhruvam janma mrtasya cha," - For one who is born, death is inevitable; and for one who has died, birth is certain (Bhagwad Gita 2.27).While such an elucidation of death does not entirely erase the emotional pain death engenders, it can soften the sharpness with which death tears at the contours of life, emotions and relationships. Perhaps the problem is not so much that humans do not understand death. Maybe it is that understanding has very little to do with what or how we feel when those whom we love are taken from us. We know that death is a cessation, an emptiness in place of someone who was once an inextricable part of our lives. The human mind tends to struggle with emptiness, so to avoid it, it fills that space with pain and grief when someone has passed. Maharishi Patanjali observed in the Yog Sutras: Svarasavahi vidusho'pi tatha rudho abhiniveshah - Fear of death is inherent even in the wise, Yog Sutras 2.9.Maharishi Patanjali postulates that the fear of death is intrinsic to human nature. The ego fears dissolution upon death. Yog suggests that the true tragedy that befalls a person is not death. Instead, it is that she has never fully lived; living as she were with each moment filled with anxiety, worry and fear. Instead, you choose to meet it as an old friend to whom you will narrate tales you have seen, felt and experienced.Take, for instance, King Yayati, preceptor of the Puru clan. Guru Shukracharya cursed King Yayati that he would lose his youth and succumb to old age and death. Yayati was so in thrall with the sensual pleasures of youth that he offered his crown and kingdom to the son who would exchange his youth for Yayati's old age. His youngest son, Puru, obeyed his father's command. Yayati exchanged his old age with Puru's youth and continued to enjoy sensual pleasures. One day, exhausted by the never-ending carousel of pleasure, Yayati gave Puru's youth and position to him.In contrast stands Rishi Dadhichi, who willingly gave up his life so that devas could use his bones to craft weapons which could defeat the demon Vritra. Sage Dadhichi and King Yayati illustrate paths that are available to us. King Yayati fears what is only natural. Sage Dadhichi transforms even death into an opportunity for seva.Therefore, do not let fear control your life. Channel your entire focus on living purposefully, with a vision to contribute to society and make the world better. Yog guides you to immerse yourself fully in the life that is yours now, in the karm that is yours to fulfil, and in seva, which can become the foundation of universal joy, prosperity, and well-being.
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