Just as passing through the cycles of days and nights we do not die, we retain our identity; similarly, life does not end with dissolution of the physical body. It is eternal.
Everyday the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West. Moon becomes invisible on the no-moon day and can be seen in its full glow on the full moon day. In between, its phases of brightness go on increasing or decreasing. In spite of this visible change, there is no change in Moon’s original form. The process of birth and death too is similar. This may be called a game of hide and seek between awakening and deep sleep. For the body, the cycle of childhood, youth, old age and death is natural. Even after bodily death, the self-identity of the soul remains firm like a steady axle.
Why fear death? It is a pleasant change akin to the process of changing old clothes and putting on new ones. No one can stop this process of continuous change . One who takes on mortality through birth in the body will definitely die. In view of this inexorable Law of Nature, there is no need of any fear, grief or sorrow. Wisdom lies in realizing this eternal truth of life and in trying to make each link of this series more organized.
Today’s efforts ought to be directed towards making the tomorrow more joyful and progressive. The aim of our present cycle of physical embodiment should be to consciously and constantly strive to tread on the righteous path towards realization of our true identity as sparks of the Supreme Light and Life Eternal.
~ Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya
ॐभर्भुव: स्व: तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यंभर्गोदेवस्यधीमहिधियोयोन:प्रचोदयात्।।