Imagine.........If we -mortals- had the strength to defy death.... !!!!!!!!!!!
The idea may seem nice to imagine at first. However, gradually, mere imagination terrifies us! That world of ours would be full of people... congestion... disease, yet no deaths... hardships... torments... more "saas-bahu" conflicts.... no economic growth.... pitiable state of the country in our "beloved" immortal leaders' control... mere imagination can kill us with us with the endless list of the problems we would face. At this point, I would like to narrate a short story(which is made shorter for convinience).
There once lived this man. He was nearing his death. Yet, he did not want to die. He prayed to the Almighty to bless him with immortality. Smiling, the Almighty granted his wish. This man now started leading life in new light. He saw his progeny grow. However, nobody took great notice of him as he was blessed with immortality. Not bothering, he used to do his share of work and lived. Gradually, his children and grand children perish before his own eyes. What can grieve a man more than the death of his own children !!{In Sanskrit, it is said "PUTRA SHOKAM NIRANTARAM" meaning: the grief of the death of one's son is eternal} This had it's effect on his mental status and then he realised what a mistake he had made by asking the Almighty for immortality! He then requested the Almighty to take back the boon and died peacefully(at last, though!)
Life has to go on. After birth, one thing is for sure- death. Then ,why is it that we are not ready to accept death as a part of life? There is nothing of permanence in this world. Though it may seem philosophical, it is a necessary truth we need to understand and assimilate in life.
A few days earlier, in class, we had a discussion regarding the same topic with one of our teachers. The teacher was of the view that we need to have expections wishes and attachments to lead a life. Else, we become too philosophical and lose interest in life.
Yet, is it not when we develop attachments that we grieve at its loss? To quote Buddha's teachings, "THE ROOT OF ALL MISERY IS EXPECTATIONS AND WISHES".
Of all things I have seen, people fear death the most. The simple reason I could think of is that nobody has ever returned to tell how it is to die. It is the irony of life that we fear things we know not of than those we know can cause danger. If somebody ever reveals how life is after death, I bet, nobody will ever worry abut the dead!!! That still stands as a mystery and it is better it stands so. If we ever get closer to that truth, we would go an inch closer to the greatest secret of mankind. That way life would lose all its colour and energy. We are leading our lives today riding on the thrill of hopes and uncertainties and wishes. The greater the development in the field of science, the less interesting life would seem, I feel.
I have read somewhere: "EVERYBODY WANTS A PLACE IN HEAVEN; BUT NOBODY WANTS TO DIE!!!" How true!
