It is a common feature across the globe…everyone is scared of death…. afraid of death. Nobody wants to die…everybody wants to live forever. The medical technology, advancement of sciences has not defeated death. They became successful in prolonging the suffering. Had there not been these…the hospitals the nurses the oxygen cylinders and the countless machines surrounding the patient that prolong the suffering…the patient would not have suffered; he would have exited the world peacefully. This is what I think. I am sure you agree with me. Because of the advancement of science and technology and the Noble prizes inventing new diseases and medicines, we are successful in prolonging our suffering. Probably this is the reason why we are scared of death!
Why does a man get scared of death? Why is he afraid to die? He thinks death is a bad and life is a good. He never experienced death himself, yet afraid to die. He saw other people dying. He thinks they are suffering in their death. How do does he know that they are suffering in death? It may be the case that they are enjoying their exit from the planet earth. What you think has no bearing on reality.
This anecdote very close to me. I loved it. It explains the nature of death. Let me tell you….
In the Upanishads we have the story of king Yayati. He ruled a vast kingdom and very rich. He had many wives and one hundred sons. Over a period of time Yayati became old…nearing 100 years.
Since it was the time for him to go, the messenger of death came to take him. Yayati asked “What? It is already time? I just started…I have so much to do, how can I go?”. The messenger replied “this is the law of nature. You have to go.” “Wait a moment” said Yayati “Can I request one of my sons to go instead?” The messenger said “You may try. I have no objection”.
Yayati summoned all his 100 sons. He asked them to go in his place. The sons too are aged. Few sons are as old as 80 years; youngest son was 16 years old. All but one son said they do not want to go… they wanted to live. It is your time father, why should any one of us die in your place?
The youngest son – a 16-year-old boy – volunteered to go in his father place. Everyone said only crazy people would volunteer to die. You are still young and has a long life to live. Why should you die in your father’s place? The boy replied, even after living for 100 years my father wants live. As I see my father has developed too many attachments. If I were to live, I will only develop more attachments and suffer. Rather than developing attachments and suffer like my father, why not I go now? A tripartite deal was struck between the son, Yayati and the messenger. Yayati got another 100 years, he was very happy.
100 years later the messenger came again. Yayati said “What! It is already 100 years? Look I married again and I have a new regiment of sons now. Why can’t I ask one of them to go?” Thus, Yayati lived for 1000 years. After every 100 years Yayati deputed one of his sons to die in his place. 1000 years later the messenger and Yayati were sitting face to face. Yayati’s dilemma was the same. However, tired Yayati finally said – I don’t want to die… but anyway I have to respect the God. There is so much life to live, so many things to enjoy…you are asking me to go! Reluctantly, dejectedly and with tears in eyes Yayati accepted to die.
This anecdote gives the reason as to why we are afraid of death. It is the attachment…to wives, property, power, children and many more…I cannot enumerate all of them. Human beings are scared of death due to these attachments. A person who is not attached is not afraid of death. The moment death knocks his door, he is ready to go. This person defeats death itself. He is not scared of death…rather, death is sacred of him. Death thinks twice to approach this man who is ready to die at any time. This unattached man is free from every encumbrance. He has already attained Moksha / Nirvana. He is ready for his eternal dialogue with his Maker – face to face. This man alone has the power of looking deeply and fearlessly into the eyes of his Maker. This man has understood the creation; this man is the creation.
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional.
What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
