Hare Krishna!
Till about sometime, despite being a very staunch devotee of Lord Sri Krishna, the one thing that frightened me the most was "DEATH and DISEASE". The very thought of both used to send shivers... Most of us , despite knowing all philosophies , when it comes to practical implementation find it impossible to come to terms with separation of our near and dear ones and also fear of our own departure. The highly evolved souls such as Arjuna, Parikshit Maharaja and others also suffered this fear then what about us , who have just taken one step towards the spiritual path.
My father, who left for heavenly abode around 5 years back ,deeply suffered from renal failure and underwent dialysis ONE OF THE MOST PAINFUL PROCESS, for about a year after which he left for heavenly abode, which was my closest brush with death. Seeing the unbearable pain, the crumbling of the body, the uncountable Intensive Care Admissions (ICU), the very huge amount spent on medical and the worst part bear your loving one suffer and be a silent spectator watching helplessly , praying our most beloved Lord Sri Krishna can at least one day pain of my father be transferred to me to lighten at least his one day. Is this possible? Never, each one of us has to bear the cross and none else can help us, we can morally, spiritually , financially and emotionally support our loved ones but never ever take their pain for each one of us has to cut free of our karma. After his leaving for heavenly abode for almost 4 years kept on remembering and recollecting what else could have been done. Why do good people suffer? Yes, death and old age is inevitable but why leave the world with so much pain and sadness? Why does the separation of our dear ones cause great sorrow, why can't we happily let go of the soul to its eventual destination. The thought by pondering again and again on our lord's action and decision are we suspecting his credentials ? Very easy to preach but toughest to practice for many times we get angry , upset and let down by our lord and we keep questioning him time and again "WHY ME?" and never convey to him "WHY NOT ME? ".
Whilst in deep meditation , one fine day , our most beloved Lord Sri Krishna in his immense mercy and not on my merit, set me free and to this day have learned the art of celebrating death for it is a mere change of the body and a new journey in a new garment for the soul, one of the most beautiful message rendered by our Lord Sri Krishna. Why should anyone of us , stop our beloved ones in their spiritual path which has been ordained by none other than our creator Sriman Narayana. When this realization was put into practice it evoked one of the greatest calm , serenity and the mindset to endure what one cannot cure for when our creator decides it is final and abiding on each one of us. The thought that "father in this birth but what about the other births? Was there any link , would there be any connection in the next birth, all that exists is only for a very brief spell , rest none knows and need know ...The art of let going was slowly developed and to this day any beloved one while let going his mortal coil does not evoke a tear for the next journey has begun , who are we to stop the progress path of any jivatma. When any one of us , keep crying and keep recollecting of the departed we are pulling their soul in a reverse direction and stopping it from reaching its rightful destination, that is why to my mind, we should not even keep their photos after they leave for we have set the soul free and have released it of all its bondages, all we need to do is to perform the amavasa darpanam , the yearly shraddham with great shraddha and devotion and definitely recall with love, gratitude and reverence our pitrus( ancestors ) but never ever cry or feel sad for their redemption would be stopped.
Similarly , many times, we fear our own death wondering what would happen if we leave, what would the status of our children or our kith or kin be after our departure. This thought too has to be erased for unconditional surrender at the lotus feet of our dearest Lord Sri Krishna means he is the doer , the deed and the actual protector of all his creation, we are just mediums , our departure will also enable the show to move on for none of us have brought anything with us and none can take or leave anything, we are just tenants on this earth and when the time is up we need to pack and leave graciously and gratefully with the strongest belief , faith and love that our Lord Sri Krishna will surely take care of all his creations and it has never been that we have done , it has always been that he is doing.......
Let each one of us, pray our dearest lord Sri Krishna to grant us the serenity to bear everything with stoic courage, celebrate death and disease for it has cut our bad karmas and we are heading towards better days. At a human level, it is difficult to be equipoised but practice, wisdom and gyana will make us perfect and above all if our love for our most beloved Lord Sri Krishna is unquestionable, impeccable and unshakable then it is the easiest to release and renounce everyone and everything for breaking free of attachment whilst unceasingly performing our karma is the essence of life.
REJOICE REJOICE, CELEBRATE CELEBRATE SEPARATION FOR IT IS BIRTH ONCE AGAIN WITH A MOST BEAUTIFUL NEW MULTI COLOURED WONDERFUL GARMENT.
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAAMA HARE RAAMA RAAMA RAAMA HARE HARE............
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