Death is often the first spiritual lesson we receive after birth, yet it’s the one we tend to ignore. While life is filled with distractions and pleasures, death stands before us as the tallest God, inevitable and all-powerful, yet often overlooked. This profound truth is highlighted in a story where a wise man reflects on death’s influence in our lives.
The impact of death on human behaviour is evident in many stories. In one, a wicked man, upon hearing from an astrologer that he will soon die, undergoes a complete transformation. His once harsh and selfish nature softens as he begins to apologise and change his ways. When he later learns the astrologer’s prediction was a prank, he is left with the realisation that the mere thought of death can alter a person’s entire character. This shows how death can catalyse introspection and change a person, even when it is not imminent.
In the Mahabharata, Dhritarashtra’s counsellor, Vidura, observes how people, despite knowing that death awaits them, continue to pursue fleeting pleasures in life. This blind fascination with life causes people to forget that death is always looming, ready to remind them of their mortality. The awareness of death can help refine a person’s nature, transforming their perspective on life. It reminds us that life is temporary, encouraging humility and detachment from worldly desires.
The Kathopanishad tells the story of Nachiketa, who, upon witnessing his father’s unworthy donations, asks a powerful question: “To which God will you offer me?” In anger, his father replies, “I will offer you to Yama, the God of Death.” Undeterred, Nachiketa seeks to understand the mysteries of death. Yama, though initially reluctant, reveals profound truths about the afterlife, showing that even Gods don’t fully grasp death’s power. This story emphasises death as a great teacher—one that holds the secrets of existence and the afterlife.
In the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira, after discovering the death of his brothers, encounters Yama disguised as a crane. Yama asks him a series of philosophical questions, including what the “great wonder” of the world is. Yudhishthira’s answer is profound: “The greatest wonder is that people see death all around them but still believe they will live forever.” This illustrates the irony of human existence: despite constant reminders of death, we continue to live with the illusion of immortality.
The awareness of death should not bring fear but rather guide us to live purposefully. Acknowledging death’s inevitability helps us live with intention and humility, treating others kindly and focusing on our actions and karma. Death reminds us of our spiritual nature and the impermanence of the body. By keeping death in mind, we can avoid living recklessly and instead approach life with a deeper and more accommodative understanding.
Death is not an end but a transition. It is the ultimate teacher, showing us that life is a temporary sojourn and that our true essence lies beyond the physical form. The soul is eternal, and death serves as a reminder to live a righteous life, aware of the limited time we have on Earth. Embracing death as the first spiritual tip helps us live more consciously and spiritually, ensuring that our actions align with our highest purpose.
The problems of the world will largely vanish if the global citizenry adopts the thought process that they are only on a sojourn to Mother Earth and that it is not their permanent abode.
