DEATH

Before, During And After…

Gnani Purush Dadashri lays bare all the mysteries that surround death

From Death to Immortality

Editorial

Every one has a great fear of death. Death makes people melancholy and they sink into misery. Everyone has to witness death some point in time during his or her life. At such a time hundreds of questions regarding the true nature of death may arise in a person’s mind. When he does not find any answers, he becomes perplexed. People have an ardent desire to discover the mystery surrounding death. A lot has been written on the topic, but it is all mere intellectual exercises.

What is death? What was before this death? What is happening in the dying process? What happens after death? Who can talk about the experience of death? The dead cannot speak of their experiences. Those who are born do not have knowledge of their prior existence. No one knows what happens before birth and after death. That is why the mystery of how one passes through the time before, during and after death remains unsolved. Dadashri, through his Gnan, has exposed all the mysteries of death exactly as they are.

When one learns about the facts surrounding death, his fears will be eased.

What should one do when a beloved one is dying? What is our real duty? How can we improve their next life? What should we do after the death of our loved one? With what understanding should we remain calm and balanced?

What is the truth behind the people’s common belief of ceremonial offerings to the dead relative? What is the significance of the various socially prescribed ceremonies after death? Will all these rituals benefit the dead? Should one perform such rituals? The book here clarifies all these questions succinctly.

When the mysteries of death, which create fear in people, are exposed, one finds an unfailing consolation when facing such situations in life.

A Gnani Purush is someone who remains separate from his body and every event related to the body, separate from birth, and separate from death. He constantly remains the ‘knower and observer’ of his body. He experiences the eternal state of the Self, free from the bondage of birth and death. Gnani Purush, through His Gnan, sees it all as it is, and candidly tells us about the mystery of life and death, death and life and freedom from both.

The Soul is eternal. It is beyond birth and death. It is Absolute Knowledge. The Self is the absolute knower and observer. The Soul has no birth or death. Despite this, through his intellect, man perceives and experiences the cycle of birth and death. Naturally then the main question that arises is how do birth and death occur? During birth and death, what other things besides the Soul are present? What happens to them all? Who is it that goes through rebirth? How does it happen? Who is it that goes and comes? How are the sequences of ‘cause and effects’ and ‘effect and cause’ established? How can that be stopped? How is life span determined? What does life span depend on? Who except the Gnani Purush can give exact scientific answers to such eternal questions?

Furthermore, what are the laws governing the entry of a worldly soul into various other life forms? What are the causes and consequences of suicide? What are spirits? Are there such things as ghosts? What are the laws governing the change of place of worldly life? What supports all the different life forms? How can one attain liberation from a particular planet? Where does the soul that attains liberation go? What is Siddha Gati? All such details are being uncovered here in this book.

No one other than the Gnani is able to explain with such exactness and detail, the understanding and qualities of the Soul and the ego.

One can achieve a state free from birth and death through the clarification of all mysteries of life and death. These facts are to be found in this booklet and it is will benefit the reader from worldly and spiritual aspects.

-Dr. Niruben Amin

During, Before and After

Death

Part One

Freedom From the Cycles of Birth and Death

Questioner: How can one escape the painful cycles of birth and death?

Dadashri: That is a very good question. What is your name?

Questioner: Chandubhai.

Dadashri: Are you really Chandubhai?

Questioner: Yes.

Dadashri: Chandubhai is only your name, is it not?

Questioner: Yes.

Dadashri: Then who are you? We all agree that Chandubhai is your name, but who are you?

Questioner: To know that I have come here.

Dadashri: Once you find the answer to this question, you will break free from the painful cycles of birth and death.

Until now everything you have done, has been done in the name of Chandubhai. Should you not have kept at least something for yourself (pure Soul). Beware and be prepared to face the great betrayal.

At the time of death, nature strips you of your name and all that belongs to that name: your bank balance, property, family and even the clothes on your back. Everything. So then if you ask, ‘what will come along with me?’ then the answer is ‘all the conflicts created with those you met in this life will accompany you.’ Everything is confiscated by nature when one dies, therefore should one not do something for his real Self: his Soul?

Send Gift Packages For Your Next Life

When you do things for people other than your own relatives, when you give them happiness through your donations of food, medicine, or knowledge, you bind merit karma (punya) and will reap the rewards of such deeds in your next life. If you have lived a life of non-violence such that no single being experiences fear from you, this again will reap great merit karma for your next life.

If it were possible for anyone to take material things with him into his next life, people would take everything. They would even take out a loan for millions of dollars. So it is a good thing that no one can take anything with him or her.

The Illusion Called Maya

Maya makes one take birth, get married and it also causes one’s death. Whether one likes it or not, one does not have a choice in the matter. But it is certain that it is not maya that dominates. You are the owner and so everything has been played out according to your own wishes. This life is the net result, balance sheet of all that you had wished for in your previous life and based on that, maya is now running everything. So there is no point in complaining now. You had endorsed this final balance sheet and placed it in the hands of maya. Maya is the force that makes you forget the Self.

Life Is A Prison

Questioner: What is life in your enlightened view?

Dadashri: Life in my enlightened view is a prison. There are four kinds of prisons: Those who are in heaven are in the prison of simple surveillance with all comforts. The human beings are in a simple prison. The animals are in a prison of intense labor and hardship. Those in hell are in a prison of hell with life long pain and torture.

The Saw Is Cutting This Life Log From The Moment Of Birth

The body is slowly dying every second, but do people realize this? It is not until a log completely falls apart in two pieces that people say the log has been cut. Nevertheless it was in the process of being cut from the moment the saw first touched it.

Fear Of Death

There is constant fear in this world. The world is never void of fear for even a moment. And for whatever time one does not have any fear, he is living in ignorance of the real nature of this world. This happens because people are asleep even when their eyes are open (i.e. people are in a state of ignorance of the reality of this world).

Questioner: It is said that the Soul never dies. It is eternal.

Dadashri: The Soul never dies, but as long as you have not become the Soul (Self-realized), you will experience fear. Do you not fear death? If something were to happen to your body, you will begin to have fear about dying. It is because of your conviction and belief that you are this body and that you are Chandulal, that there is death. But if that focus and belief was not one with the body, then death cannot touch you.

Yamraj - God of Death or Destiny?

I want to get rid of all these superstitions and false beliefs in India. Our entire country is plagued and ruined because of superstition and false beliefs and rituals. I assure you that there is no such being as Yamraj (God of death). When people ask me what it is, I tell them that it is simply destiny, the law of karma, which results in death. I say it exactly as I see it in my Gnan. It is not based on anything that I have read. I am saying this through my vision of Gnan, not through these physical eyes.

What Happens After Death?

Questioner: Which form of life will there be after death?

Dadashri: During the time of death a balance sheet of all one’s deeds throughout life arises. This happens one hour prior to death. If one has accumulated in his life by taking what does not rightfully belong to him, be it money or woman, he will go to the animal kingdom. Anything that he acquired by devious use of intellect, will take him to the animal kingdom. If he has been decent and humane, he will come back in a human form. After death, there are only four different life forms that one will go to. Those who destroy people’s homes and lives for their own gain will go to hell. Those with super-human qualities, who despite being hurt by others, do not retaliate and remain benevolent, go to heaven.

Total Engagement In Service Of Others

Use your mind, speech, body and soul for others. If you use them for your own self, you will reincarnate in lower life form as a tree. In your imprisoned form you will be forced to serve others. People will enjoy your fruits and use your wood. You will suffer as a tree for hundreds of years. That is why God tells you to use your mind, speech, body and soul for others. Having done this if you have any problems, turn to Him.

Other Life Forms To Visit

Questioner: After leaving the body does one have to come back here?

Dadashri: There is nowhere else to go. Right here around us all these ox and cows, dogs and cats are none but our own uncles, aunts and other relatives of our past life. See how they stare at you and sometimes even lick you with love? So do not hurt or harm them. Take good care of them.

Return Ticket

Questioner: Why is the animal life form, for example, cows and buffaloes an integral part of the cycles of birth and death?

Dadashri: For endless lives people have passed through animal kingdom as they rise towards human birth. Of these only about fifteen percent will rise higher. The rest have come here with a return ticket to go back to the lower life forms. People who cheat their customers by selling adulterated goods and those that take enjoyment from things which do not belong to them, all earn a return ticket. All such tendencies will lead to a life in the animal kingdom.

Awareness Of Past Lives

Questioner: Why do we not remember anything from our past lives and what would happen if we did?

Dadashri: Those who have no suffering at all at the time of their death are the ones who may remember their past lives. Those with virtuous thoughts and conduct may also remember. There is tremendous suffering in a mother’s womb and this suffering coupled with the suffering at the time of death, renders one unconscious so that one remembers nothing.

Take Stock of Next Life Bags At The Time Of Death

An eighty-year-old man was approaching his death in a hospital. Even though his time was limited, all he could think about was who had and who had not come to visit him at the hospital. The foolish man! Instead he should be thinking about his body, which was about to leave him very shortly. He should be thinking about the ‘baggage’ that he was going to take with him to his next life. Of what use will it be to him whether such and such a person had come to visit him or not?

Keep It Simple

An old man dies after a lot of medical care and attention. People who come to his wake ask detailed questions about the events leading to his death. The old man’s nephew tells them that the doctor thought it was the flu but he died of a fever from malaria. They ask him who the doctor was and the nephew tells them. When they hear the doctor’s name, they immediately pounce on the nephew telling him he was foolish to call that particular doctor. Others too start to criticize him for making a bad decision. People are like this; they’ll take advantage of those who are simple. Instead it would be better to tell them nothing unusual had taken place and that the old man came down with a fever and died. Give them a cursory explanation or else they will create more problems.

Caring for the Loved Ones at the Time of Death

Questioner: What should the extended family and those around, do when their loved one is about to die?

Dadashri: One has to be extremely careful when attending to the care of the one who is on his deathbed. Accept graciously everything that he utters. None of his sentences should be negated and all his requests should be fulfilled. Do everything to keep him happy, and even when he is mean, be kind in return. He may ask for some milk. Give it to him immediately. If he complains about the milk being too thin and watery, bring him a better glass of milk promptly. Do whatever it takes to make him comfortable.

Questioner: So there is no need to be concerned about what is right or wrong?

Dadashri: There is no such thing as right or wrong in this world. Continue to do what you are doing to keep him happy. Be gentle and patient with him as you would be with a child.

The Right Meditation At The Time Of Death

Questioner: There are certain rituals people are made to practice in the last hour of life. Some Lamas are made to carry out certain activities in the last hour of their life. The Tibetans Lamas say that when a person is on his deathbed, they tell the soul of the dying person how to depart. Some people recite from the Gita so that good words are spoken to the dying in his final hour. Do these rituals have any effect?

Dadashri: No, such last minute rituals achieve nothing. How is it possible to make up for all the losses one incurs during the course of the entire year by simply making a profit at the end of the year?

Questioner: No it will not work.

Dadashri: Why not?

Questioner: The balance sheet will reflect all the transactions for the entire year.

Dadashri: In the same token, it is the end sum of all the activities of one’s entire life that is brought forward. In performing these rituals, people are deceiving the dying and all around him. They are making fools out of them by giving false promises.

Questioner: Dada, when a person is on his deathbed and at the end of his life, he is conscious and if at that time someone recites the Gita or any other religious scriptures in his ears ……

Dadashri: It should be done only at the request of the dying. One can read to him only if he wishes to listen.

Euthanasia: Mercy Killing

Questioner: When a person is suffering from a chronic illness for which there is no cure, it does not seem right to prolong this suffering. What is wrong with helping end this suffering? In this respect it is hard to believe that if we help him by mercy killing, that his suffering will continue in the next life.

Dadashri: No one has a right to do that, whatsoever. We have a right to treat them and take care of them, but not to kill them.

Questioner: Where is the benefit for us in prolonging his suffering?

Dadashri: What is the benefit in killing, then? When you kill a suffering man, you will lose your birthright to be born as a human again. It goes against the principles of humanity.

Companion Only till The Funeral Pyre

The cover on this pillow will keep changing, but the pillow remains the same. When the pillow cover becomes ragged, it will be discarded. In the same way this covering of ours, this body too is discarded.

This whole world is hollow and without any substance. But one cannot say so openly in this world. People go to the cemetery with their loved ones, but they are not so overcome with grief that they never return home. They all return home, including the grieving mother who has just buried her son.

Questioner: If the deceased has not bequeathed anything to the family, they will cry and complain. But if he leaves them enough, they will remain silent.

Dadashri: Yes, they shed tears because he leaves them nothing. In their minds they blame him for leaving nothing behind and ruining them. It is because of the family’s own lack of punya – meritorious deeds - that he did not leave anything behind for them and it is because of the deceased’s bad karmas that he is being cursed and blamed.

All who go to the funeral home, return, do they not? Does anyone accompany the dead one? Really, all this is a show. People criticize the ones who do not cry or grieve as being heartless. And they accuse those who cry as being emotional and melodramatic. So whatever one does, there is a problem either way. The world will criticize either way.

Even close by near the funeral pyre at the place where the group can rest, one sees them sharing snacks as the cremation is going on. Have you not seen this?

Questioner: They actually take snacks along with them!

Dadashri: Is that so? What is one to do in a world like this?

People bind relationships in routine words like ‘welcome or good bye’ but do not take responsibility for them. Do you take any responsibility? Not even for your wife?

Questioner: No.

Dadashri: What are you saying! A man constantly chases and wants to be with his wife and tells her he cannot live without her and yet he would not go into the funeral pyre with her!

Anniversary of Death

Questioner: What should the family members do on the anniversary of the death of their loved one?

Dadashri: They should pray to God and ask God to bless their loved one wherever he or she may be.

Where Has The Loved One Gone?

Questioner: How can we know where a person is, after his death?

Dadashri: A special kind of knowledge is necessary to know this. Even if you were to know this, it has no use or value. If you were to send deep inner prayers and messages, it will reach him.

So you want to know someone’s whereabouts? Have you lost one of your relatives?

Questioner: My dear brother passed away very recently.

Dadashri: He does not remember you and you keep remembering him? Do you know what it means when a person dies? It means that all accounts are now closed. This means his and yours. Accounts here mean karma. So all you can do whenever you remember him is to ask the Lord to grant him peace. Whenever you remember your brother, you should pray for his peace, wherever he is. What else can you do?

Under God’s Trust

Ask whatever questions you have. Ask about the way to reach God and how to get rid of any obstacles on that way, so that I can get rid of them for you.

Questioner: My son died in an accident. What is the cause of that accident?

Dadashri: Whatever you see happening around you in this world with your naked eyes; whatever you hear with your ears, is all relative truth; it is not the absolute truth. How can your son be yours when even this body of yours does not remain as your own? It is only because of social and worldly interactions that he is considered your son. He is not your son in reality. In reality not even your body belongs to you. Only that which remains with you eternally is considered yours. So your belief that your son is really yours makes you unhappy and creates problems. Now that your son is gone, it was God’s will, so you have to let go.

Questioner: That is true. What I had was God’s property and he took it back.

Dadashri: Yes, this is all God’s estate.

Questioner: Is it because of our bad karma that he died in such a way?

Dadashri: Yes, your son’s bad karma, and your bad karma. If your karmas are good then the results will be good also.

The Inner Vibrations Reach The Dead

When parents worry and grieve for their children who have died, their unhappiness reaches the children wherever they are now. People, who grieve after the dead, do this because of ignorance, so it is important for them to know the facts and live peacefully. What is the point of worrying unnecessarily? Death is inevitable even for all. These young ones who die are your accounts from your past life’s interactions. These are all accounts of give and take. I too had a son and a daughter, but they both died. They were guests in our home. They came and they left. They were not our property anyway. We too will have to go some day, will we not? So do not worry about the dead. Instead give peace and happiness to those who are alive. Our duty is to those who are living and dependent upon us. Those who are gone are gone. Stop even remembering them. What foolishness is it to recall those who have gone and grieve after them instead of taking care and giving peace to them? Instead people dwell in the past, oblivious of the present and the living. In doing so they are not fulfilling their duty.

Those who have departed from us become unhappy wherever they are because the effect of our unhappiness reaches them. Nothing is in our hands. Even the scriptures tell us not to worry about loved ones that have departed. The rituals of prayer and scriptural reading are practiced in order for people to forget their loved ones. You too went through such rituals, did you not?

Questioner: But I cannot forget. I was very close to my son.

Dadashri: Yes, it is not easy to forget, but if you do not, it will make you both miserable. As a father you have to ensure that you do not hurt him any more.

Questioner: In what way is he hurt?

Dadashri: When you grieve over him, your unhappiness reaches him exactly and for sure. It is akin to a telephone or a television in terms of its remote effects. This is the nature of vibrations created within, in this world. Will your grieving bring him back?

Questioner: No.

Dadashri: Is there anyway that he will come back?

Questioner: No.

Dadashri: When you grieve, your grief reaches him and when you pray for him, your prayers too reach him and he will be at peace. Is it not your duty to give him peace? You might even distribute some sweets to the children at school.

Whenever you remember your son, you should say a prayer for the liberation of his soul. Uttering the names of the Self-realized beings like ‘Krupadudev’ or even ‘Dada Bhagwan’ will help you. That is because both ‘Dada Bhagwan’ and ‘Krupadudev’ are the same as far as the Soul is concerned. They are different beings, but in their elemental form they are the same. Even when you say the name of Lord Mahavir, it is one and the same. Your only desire should be for the liberation of his soul. You pray for the good of others, so why must you not do the same for those who are very close to you? You lived with him and shared everything with him and now your only desire should be for his salvation.

Who Are They Crying For?

Questioner: Despite having the knowledge of reincarnation, why do people cry when someone in the family passes away?

Dadashri: They cry for their own selfish reasons. The closest relatives cry genuinely, butthe rest cry because they remember their own dead relatives. That is a wonder in itself! These people bring the past into the present. These Indian people are amazing! They know how to bring the past into the present.

By such intense grieving one will create karma that lead to much wandering in future lives.

Let Not the Matter to be Contained in the Mind Leak Out

Questioner: What did Narsinh Mehta (a poet devotee of Lord Krishna) mean when he said, the following when he was given the news of his wife’s death?

“A beneficial event has happened, the shackles of marital life have been broken:

I can now devote all my time to the Lord in peace.”

Dadashri: That statement was made in impulse. One should keep such profound awareness within the mind and not express it. It must not leak out in words. People, who openly say things, which are best kept within, are called whimsical or impulsive.

Discretion Of The Gnani

Gnanis are not whimsical or impulsive; they are very wise. From within they may feel the same sense of relief as did Narsinh Mehta, but outwardly they will say that a terrible event has happened, may even say, ‘I am lost, what will I do? How will I live?’ and will mourn the dead. They will perform their worldly role very convincingly. They will even dab a little water on their eyes to show the tears. Even an ordinary person would be discrete and not say things that would offend those who are around. For that matter even a person’s worst enemy would maintain solemnity and respect. The Gnani never mourns, but he will play his worldly role with sincerity. ‘The world is a drama itself.’ All you have to do is play the role. Perform this role with sincerity.

Does The Soul Wander For thirteen Days?

Questioner: It has been said that after death there is a rest house for thirteen days, where the soul rests. Is it true?

Dadashri: The Brahmins, the priests in Hinduism devised these thirteen days and the rest house. What do the dead have to do with it? The Brahmins call it a rest house. They say that the departed soul, sits on the rooftop of the house, the size of a thumb, and observes everything. What foolishness! What will it be observing? And people even believe this and so they do not perform the ritual ceremony of saravani till the thirteenth day after a person’s death. (In the ritual of saravani – the family members buy a new bed on which they put new blankets, bed sheets, items of clothing, shoes, an umbrella, food etc., as an offering for the departed for his journey to the next life).

Questioner: It has been written in Garuda Purana (one of the 18 books in Hindu mythology) that the soul is only the size of a thumb.

Dadashri: Yes that is why it is called Garuda Purana! It is a long fabricated old story, which says the soul is the size of a thumb. It is no wonder that people make no progress! They never move ahead. In their rituals, the aim was scientific, but their thinking has been ruined. People carry out such rituals and before they do so, they give alms to the Brahmin priest who performs the ritual. The Brahmin priest used to be worthy of receiving alms at one time, and the people of the household would bind merit karma in doing so. But now everything has become a farce. The Brahmin priest will have already made a deal with a shopkeeper who will buy the bed, the blankets and everything else from him! How do people think these things are going to reach the departed soul?

Questioner: Dada, nowadays people will tell the Brahmin priest to bring all these things to their homes and they will pay him a pre-agreed amount.

Dadashri: It is not just now a days. They have been doing this for years. The priest will bring a bed given to him by someone else! Even then people believe in such rituals, and they continue to practice them. The Jains on the other hand do not practice such rituals; they are very shrewd. They do not believe in such things and in reality these rituals are bogus. As soon as the soul leaves the body it goes straight to its destination; it acquires its place of creation, the womb.

The Dead Are Not Affected With Rituals

Questioner: Should we sing devotional songs or say prayers for the dying? What good does it do?

Dadashri: The dying person has nothing to do with it.

Questioner: So are all the religious rituals carried out during the time of someone’s death right or wrong?

Dadashri: Nothing about these rituals is right. Those who are gone are gone. The worldly people do these rituals routinely without much thought. When asked to do something that is meaningful for their spiritual progress, they would complain about lack of time. They would refuse to do this for the sake of their deceased parents. However, because of societal pressures they do all these rituals grudgingly.

Questioner: So what is the significance of reading the Garuda Purana?

Dadashri: The reading sessions are to console people in mourning and to make them feel at peace.

It Is All A Display Of Pride

Questioner: How significant are the rituals and dinners, held on the twelfth and thirteenth day after a person’s death? And why are gifts of kitchen utensils distributed to everyone attending the dinner?

Dadashri: It is not mandatory. They simply do it to be ostentatious. For some, if they did not spend money in this way, their tendency for greed would increase. The son would be preoccupied with trying to increase his money, but when he is made to spend the money on such rituals, at least his mind would begin to purify and his greed would lessen. But all this is not mandatory. One should only do so if he can afford to.

The True Understanding Of Shraddha

(Ceremonial Offerings Of Food To Ancestral Spirits)

Questioner: Is it true that the spirits of one’s ancestral fathers (pitrus) are summoned in the ritual of Shraddha?

Dadashri: Who can be called an ancestral father? It is the son, the father and the grandfather – they will become the ancestral fathers eventually. The fact that a father dies is because his ties are completely over with the son or anyone else in the family. The current body is discarded when all accounts with current relatives are settled. They never meet again. If however, a new relationship has been established in this life, they will take birth in situations where they may meet again.

Questioner: So are all these rituals created to remember the dead?

Dadashri: No, they were not devised for remembering the dead. They were devised because people were not otherwise prepared to spend a dime on charity and that is why they are told to do something in the memory of their late father. They are told that whatever they do in their father’s name will benefit their father. It was a way to pressure them into spending money in their father’s name. If it were not for their father, they would not spend a single penny. This is all done in blind faith.

When people fast it is done for health benefits according to Ayurveda. The practice of fasting is established for the benefit of everyone. Even fools will benefit from this. That is why several different days have been established for fasting, one of them being the Shraddha. So the ritual of Shraddha is for a very good reason.

Questioner: Dada what is the purpose of the ceremonial offerings of vaas - dinner with kheer (rice pudding) etc. on the anniversary of the death of a relative? Is this done out of ignorance also?

Dadashri: No, that is not ignorance. There is a long history behind this ceremony of vaas. Shraddha lasts for period of sixteen days, beginning on the eleventh month from the bright half of the lunar month. Now, why did people start such a ritual? These people were indeed very clever! It is a very scientific ploy and this was discovered many years ago.

In India the rainy season occurs during the eleventh month of the Indian calendar. During this time, malaria is widespread because of the increase in mosquitoes. At least one person in every household would contract it. The inflicted person would become bed-ridden and lie on the cot outside his home with fever and other symptoms common to malaria. The fever due to malaria is the fever of pitta (bile- digestive juice produced in the gall bladder) and not that of kapha or vayu (excessive mucus or gas respectively. Pitta, kapha and vayu are Ayurvedic terms, which denotes the three main bio-physiologic compositions of human beings.) During a bout of malaria, one produces an excessive amount of pitta, which attracts mosquitoes. People realized that the disease of malaria would destroy half the population, so they had to come up with a solution fast. In order to bring down the fever, they discovered that a diet high in milk products reduces the excessive production of bile. That is how kheer and other dishes made from milk became popular during shradhha. Ordinarily people could not afford to make kheer everyday.

In reality, the dead do not benefit from these rituals at all. But people have so much greed that they are not willing to give even a dime to charity. That is why the ceremony of Shraddha was contrived so that they would spend their money indirectly, and feed people to honor their late father. And this is how people became convinced. If an obstinate person like myself does not follow the tradition, people around him will nag and pressure him to do so.

Throughout the sixteen days of Shraddha, beginning with the full moon, families would take turns to feed everyone and this is how eating kheer for fifteen days became a common practice. This tradition became convenient because the responsibility to prepare the meals fell on everyone equally and so people did not object. At that time people would even say that if a sick person lived through the sixteen days of Shraddha, he would be fortunate enough to welcome in the Navratri (festival of the worship of goddesses during the nine days of the bright halves of Chaitra and Ashvin months)!

Death Will Not Happen Without Your Signature

The law of nature is such that no one can be taken away from here. Without the endorsement of the dying person he cannot be taken away from here. Does anyone endorse such a thing? Have you not heard people say, “God, please end my misery and suffering. Take me away from this world.” They say this because they are suffering and by saying this, they are making a signature for their death.

Before Planning Suicide, Remember ‘Me’ First

Questioner: Dada, is it true that when a person commits suicide, there are seven such future lives for him?

Dadashri: Whatever samskara (subtle impression left on the mind from one’s longing, actions, etc. or effect of deeds of past life or lives) is created within, take seven or eight lives to exhaust. Therefore do not allow any negative impressions or inner intents to take place. Run away from such impressions. Do not attempt to take your life, no matter how much you are suffering. Endure it. As far back as 1951, I told everyone who met me in Baroda that if ever they felt suicidal, they should think of me and come to me. I would explain everything to them and they would cease from such tendencies. I would explain to them the kind of causes such acts create and discuss with them the severe after-life consequences of suicide. I would succeed in changing their minds.

Consequences of Suicide

Questioner: What life form does one take when he or she commits suicide? Do they take the form of a bhoot (ghost) or pret (spirit without body after death)?

Dadashri: After committing suicide one’s spirit or soul and wanders around. In fact by committing suicide one invites more problems. If a person commits suicide just once, the repercussions of this act are such that he will have to do the same for several lives to come. When a person commits suicide in this life, it is not a new suicide. The suicide of this life is the effect of suicide committed in the past. It is because of such effects, that one continues to commit suicide life after life. When one commits suicide, he has to wander around without a body.

A ghost is a different thing altogether. It is not easy to become a ghost; it is an incarnation in the celestial life form. One becomes a ghost when one has performed severe penance and austerities in ignorance.

One Cannot Live Without a Sense of ‘I am’

Questioner: Why do thoughts of suicide occur?

Dadashri: A person is alive because of his sense of being and self worth. His awareness that ‘I am Chandulal’ is called vikalp. All this is mine is his sankalp. This is the basis of his worldly life. Once he loses this sense of being, he loses all worldly awareness and that is when thoughts of suicide arise. So this sense of ‘I am’ is necessary and helpful.

When thoughts that happen naturally cease, negative thoughts begin. He becomes immersed in complete internal darkness and is not able to ‘see’ anything. Sankalp means ‘my’ and vikalp means ‘I’. When both these stop, a person will think about dying.

Reasons for Suicide

Questioner: What is the cause behind a person’s tendency to contemplate and complete a suicide?

Dadashri: The root cause of suicide is that in one of his past lives he had committed suicide, the effects of that act are carried forward through seven more lives. When you drop a ball from a height of about three feet, it will bounce back up and with each subsequent bounce, the height it bounces up is reduced and eventually the ball ceases to bounce. That is a natural process, a natural principle of motion. Similarly if a person commits suicide just once, then this act is perpetuated for seven more lives. The intensity of the forward carrying effects are not visible. This means that one does not know whether it is the second or the sixth suicide. The suicide act is totally evident in this life. It eventually comes to an end.

In The Final Moments…

At the time of death, a balance sheet of the dying person’s entire life’s activities arises in front of him. As he reads this summary of his life in 45 minutes, his new body for life is formed. In this duration, he may become a fodder eating animal or a bread eating human being. This is the great importance of Kaliyug and this effect of the current time cycle is such that it is extremely difficult to acquire a human form again!

Questioner: In the final moments of death, who knows when the ears stop receiving the holy messages uttered in the dying man’s ears?

Dadashri: Many people will whisper in dying person’s ear and tell him to keep reciting Lord Rama’s name. The fools! Why do they ask them to recall Lord Rama when he is no longer around and is in Siddha State, without a body?

Questioner: Please tell us exactly what happens in the final hour of the life of a man who is dying.

Dadashri: In the ultimate end, whatever has been ‘deposited’ (into one’s karmic account) thus far will carry forward. In the final hour of his death, his next life is decided based on his spiritual evolutionary status, which is determined by the result of the final analysis of his balance sheet. This balance sheet is not an accounting of his entire life’s activities, but, his coming life form and the middle portion. The middle represents the last hour, the current final event. For example, if he preoccupied with the welfare of his unmarried young daughter a dominant theme in the last hour of his life, he will bind a life in the animal kingdom. This preoccupation is part of the balance sheet.

People have been taught to utter holy words and scripts in the ears of the dying man but in reality the dying person will only be able to make a positive use of this if he has bound the merit karma to do so, otherwise he will be preoccupied with worries about his daughter who is left behind.

The summary of the balance sheet will carry forward. In this regard, the good done in older age is much more effective and carries more weight compared to the same done in youth.

The First Photograph Of Next Life

The law of nature is very precise in what it sends forward, nevertheless the Vitarag, the Omniscient Lord cautions us to maintain awareness as we approach the age of fifty.

If a person is to live seventy-five years, the first imprint, photograph (for next life) will be created at age fifty. For a life span of sixty years the first snap is taken at the age of forty. For a life span of eighty-one years, it happens at age of fifty-four. Until the time of this first photograph, your life is free; it does not cost you anything. The first two-thirds of your life is free. It is the last third that is consequential; your actions during the last third of your life are imprinted on the balance sheet, which will come in front of you in the last hour of your life. Is this a fair or an oppressive law? It is not oppressive is it? It is fair, is it not? It says that we have not objection to your reckless ways during the first two-thirds of your life but you had better shape up during the remaining third of your life, before you die.

Horrible Death Every Second As ‘I am Chandulal’

Questioner: Can we not say that it is the body that dies?

Dadashri: Those who are not Self-realized, face two kinds of death:

The first one is the one that is happening every moment of life when one says, ‘I am Chandulal’. This is called bhaav maran.

Then the worldly death happens when the body dies.

That is why Krupadu Dev, Srimad Rajchandra wrote,

‘Why oh why are you so absorbed in this worldly life, where horrible death is happening every moment of your life as ‘I am Chandulal’?’

Death In Samadhi – I Am Pure Soul

You can tell death, ‘Come whenever you want to, early or late, but come as samadhi death.

Samadhi death means that at the time of death the dying one remembers nothing but his Soul. His chit, the component of the mind that has knowledge and vision is focused on nothing but his Pure Soul. His mind, his chit, his intellect, and his ego are completely still. This is bliss eternal. Even problems created by external forces on his body (upaadhi) have no effect on him. Is the body not full of problems?

Questioner: Yes.

Dadashri: It is full of not only physical but also mental ailments. Neither the physical nor the mental suffering touches the Gnani or the Self-realized one. The non-self-realized person will invite mental suffering even when it is not there. Samadhi death means there is a constant awareness of, ‘I am the pure Soul (Shuddhatma).’ So many of our mahatmas who have passed away, did so with the awareness of being the pure Soul.

Where Will He Go After Death?

Questioner: At the time of death, is it possible for us to know whether the departed soul has acquired a higher life form?

Dadashri: If the old man is saying, ‘ alas I could not get my fourth daughter married’, he will bind a life in the animal kingdom. This is all invited misery. But if his awareness is fixed on the Soul, he goes to a higher life form.

Questioner: But what if he remains unconscious for a few days?

Dadashri: Even if he is unconscious, if he remains in Gnan (the awareness of the knowledge of the Self), then there is no problem. It does not matter if he is unconscious, as long as he has taken Gnan.

Fear of Death

Questioner: Why do all people fear death?

Dadashri: It is the ego that fears death, not the Soul. It is the ego that has the fear of ‘I am going to die, I am going to die’.

Death From The View Of The Enlightened Lord

What is God’s vision about death? In God’s vision, no one ever dies. If God were to give you this vision, some day, then no number of deaths would affect you in this world. This is because of this right vision (Gnan).

From Death To Immortality

Sooner or later, you will have to resolve the issues behind life and death. In reality one does not die nor does one live. This is all just a mistake in one’s belief. He believes that he is living, a mortal (jiva), but in reality, he is immortal (Shiva).

Questioner: This world would not function if everyone had this understanding!

Dadashri: Yes, it would not! But then, this is not something that everyone would understand. This entire world is a puzzle. It is extremely mysterious. It is because of this deep mystery, which has not been understood, that this world is in such a state of chaos.

Who Is Born, Who Dies?

The Soul does not take birth nor does it die. The Soul is a permanent entity. This phenomenon of taking birth and dying is of the ego. It is the ego that is born and it is the ego that dies. In reality the Soul does not die at all.

Part Two

The State of the Soul

What is Birth and Death?

Questioner: What is birth and deat