Remember the moment of
death
4. In this Chapter it is stated that the
thought that is uppermost at the moment of death prevails in the
succeeding birth. The soul sets out for the journey ahead, with this
provision for the way. Taking today's earnings with us after a
night's sleep, we begin tomorrow. In the same way, with the
accumulations of this life, after the heavy sleep of death we resume
the journey in the next birth. The end of this janma, life is the
beginning of the next. Walk through life having in mind the hour of
death.
5. This is necessary also
because we should conquer the fear of death and make it easy to
cross over. There is a story about Eknath. A man asked him, "Maharaj,
your life is so simple and sinless. Why is our life utterly
different? You are angry with none, you quarrel with none, you hate
none. How calm, how loving, how pure you are!" Eknath replied,
"Never mind me. I have found out something about you. In seven
days from now, you will die." Who could disbelieve Eknath's
words? Death in seven days? Only 168 hours left. Oh, God that
a calamity? He ran in haste to his house. Nothing seemed clear
to him. He was talking of disposing of his affairs and preparing for
the end. Then he fell ill. He lay flat on his bed. Six days passed.
On the seventh day Eknath came to visit him. He greeted the saint.
Eknath inquired, "How are you?" He said, "All is
over. Now I am going." Eknath asked further, "In these six
days, how many sins did you commit? And how many sinful evil
thoughts came into your mind?" And the man who had been
awaiting death answered, "Lord, where was the time to think of
thoughts? Death stood ever before my eyes." |
