-8th chapter: verses 5, 6
-This lecture was given by Swami Tattwamayananda on April 16, 2021.
-5th, 6th and 7th verses deal with the importance of living life in such a way that enables one to leave the body with the thought of the transcendental. Death is not undesirable – it is a creative, constructive transition.
-5th verse: “Those who at the time of death remember Me alone – when they leave the body, they attain Me. There is no doubt about it.”
-6th verse: “Whatever object one thinks of at the time of death, he attains that very object, being absorbed in its thought. Therefore, keep your thoughts constantly focused on Me.”
-5th verse reveals the mystery of human life, death, reincarnation, and the doctrine of karma. Death is nothing but the destruction of the physical body, which has served its purpose. Life continues with another fresh body.
-Brahma Sutras discuss the dynamics of leaving the world and the dynamics of returning to the world. At death, even though our senses of perception and action are gone, our accumulated tendencies follow us when we transmigrate. After exhausting the fruits of work in this life, the soul returns with the residual karma.
-Sri Ramakrishna gives the analogy of an elephant. After it is bathed, it tends to get dirty again. However, if it is put in a stable soon after bath, it remains clean. Similarly, if we think of God at the time of death, there is no room for our mind to get impure again.
-We cannot play diplomacy with our own mind at the time of death. The dominant thought at the time of death is linked to what ideas dominated one’s life. At the time of death, one cannot just think what he wants - one’s true nature comes out.
-If one practices spiritual disciplines during their life, then at the time of death, then can think of something higher, transcendental. Our good karmas from this life are like a spiritual treasure that is ours forever, and that ensures that our next life is elevated.
-Sri Ramakrishna also gives the example of a toothache – when we have a toothache, we constantly think about it. Similarly, we should cultivate the ability to constantly think of God in the midst of our daily work.
-There are two ways of looking upon God. One is through the lens of the world – then we create God in our own image and see him as a creator, keeping a close eye. Another way is to see the world through the eyes of God – then we see the world as a fleeting phenomenon belonging to time and subject to change; then we can practice equilibrium of mind, and the world won’t disturb us.
-Bhagavata Purana is the story of King Parikshit who has seven days left to live because of a curse. The entire Purana is a response to his question to Sage Suka – “What should a dying man do? How should he live the rest of his life?” Suka says: “One should be able to live life in such a way that he can leave the body with a smile on his face and with holy thought in his mind.”
-Swami Turiyananda, on his return from the US to India in a ship, encountered a violent storm on the way. While other passengers were scared, he remained calm. He presents a good example of how to live life in a way that gives us freedom from the fear of death.
-Jeevan-muktas are liberated from the transmigratory cycle. Their actions do not produce further karmas.
-Devotion to God provides freedom from the difficulties of life. According to Holy Mother, if we have true devotion, the intensity of suffering that we were destined for, gets reduced. For example, if we were destined to be bitten by a snake, we may be bitten by a scorpion instead.