Brahmantattvam
Parigyaya Muchyate Yogasanshayah!!
“Mrityu
[death] swallows the whole world [the universe] made of Maya [delusion]. This
[world] is, in fact, the subject of desolation; it is fully within the ambit of
fatality. Knowing reality of the Super Element through the Yoga is the remedy
–to win the Mrityu.”
Further,
this Shloka categorically divulges the reality of death. In other words,
reveals the truth
pertaining to death that is eternal on one hand and the
manifestation of inevitable law of change on the other. It is a clarion call of
realizing one’s own humanly duties and responsibilities in life. It is also an
inspiration to each and every human being to discharge well her or his duties
overcoming all states of darkness, falsity, fantasy and suspicion. Thus, it is
a call of stepping forward on the basis of righteous acts to make the life
meaningful and exemplary. That is why; it has always been said by learned ones
that there is no reason of fearing the death as it has to come and it will
come. Human beings2 are afraid of death and wish to delay it as long
as possible. Rather, remembering it every moment is beneficial and welfaristic.
The part of one of the Mantra [18:1]
of the Rig-Veda in which it is
desired from Mrityu to pursue a special pathway apart from that which gods are
wont to travel3 is worth quoting here in this regard.
Mrityu
is in fact an inevitable state of cessation of physical or biological
functions. In other words, when vital bodily organs reach the state of non-functioning
completely, death is declared. Despite this, the deeds of life, or work
accomplished before death are never declared dead. None of them can be undone
either.
Any
work accomplished in life, irrespective of its nature –bad or good, could not
terminate immediately with the end of the body. Rather, if deeds are carried
out righteously, a personal worth is procured through them and that worth is
utilized in larger welfare of one and all, they also become iconic of one’s
life. They also become the basis and source of one’s glory, regard and
reputation even after the cessation of body –death. Hence, the worth and
immortality of life remains alive. It becomes exemplary and ideal for hundreds
and thousands of years for generations to come. Coming generations follow it as
legacy left for them and keep their work alive as ideal for long. It is for
this reason that in one of the Richa
of the Rig-Veda [7.59.12], the oldest
treatise of the world and the basic source of Vedic philosophy, Sanatana
Dharma or Hinduism, it has been desired, "Deliver me from death, not
from immortality."
“Tryambakam
Yajaamahe Sugandhi Pushtivardhanam Urvaarukarumiva Bandhanaanmrityormukshiya
Maamritaat”
Thus,
Mrityu, death is inevitable, but
immortality is possible. It could be achieved on the strength of righteous
acts, on the basis of deeds accomplished to make one’s own life valuable and
exemplary on one hand, and for the larger welfare of fellow beings as well as
all living beings on the other.
Hence,
Mrityu is an unavoidable dimension.
It compels us to realize that we have counted number of days, months and years
to live in this world so we should make our life meaningful on the basis of
virtuous deeds. It is for this reason that death is termed as a door where the assessment
of one’s life starts from. Therefore, it is the duty of every individual to
remember this ultimate reality of death, which is to embrace him sooner or
later necessarily, so he must indulge in righteous acts to make his life
meaningful. This is the only right and true way that has been recommended by
all the learned men through the ages to tread upon. This is the essence of
death, the Gospel of Mrityu.
References:
1. By
Swamipad [Datiyapeeth, India].
2. Even
all living beings.
3.
“Go hence, O Death, pursue thy special pathway apart from that which Gods are
wont to travel.”
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