At Varanasi, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was intrigued by the way the Hindus dealt with death. Richard observed that the Hindus carry their relatives’ dead bodies in a procession and then burn them. From sunrise to sunset, Richard sat on the banks of the Manikarnika burning ghat, where the dead bodies were burnt by the relatives. Richard meditated on the inevitability of death and the eternality of soul. He carefully observed the final moments of the corpse; the hairs sizzling into nothingness, flesh shriveling away. Richard observed that the flames devoured the entire body and in the end nothing but a pile of ashes remained, which was then carefully swept into the current of Mother Ganges, the final resting place. Richard realized that the river of time was the ultimate equalizer that would eventually carry away all bodies, regardless of race, nationality, religion or creed.
Once Radhanath Swami explained why in the Vedic/Hindu culture, the procession of a dead body is taken. It is to make all realize the futility of life in this world. Radhanath Swami explains that by seeing a dead body carried by the relatives, even those not related to the person sober up. Radhanath Swami gives the example of Gautama Buddha who developed renunciation on seeing a dead body being carried in procession. Buddha realized that all have to die and therefore it’s not worth to seek gratification of the senses while living in this temporary body.
Radhanath Swami’s brilliant observation is seen by his description of a typical news telecast. He reveals how the entire show is about murder, death, terrorism and war. Even sports coverage is occasionally paying homage to a former sports hero who dies at his old age. Only the advertisements invite the viewers to enjoy a car or a holiday; the illusion of enjoyment thus appears so real. Radhanath Swami says that an unbiased study and observation of life will reveal that history, present and future is nothing but the piling up of corpses and vanquishing of empires. Although there is nothing startling about people dying, what is indeed surprising is our refusal to face up to the inevitability of our own death. Radhanath Swami often quotes the Mahabharata, a great epic of Vedic times, “Every day millions of living beings are forced to the kingdom of death. Yet those who remain aspire for a permanent life in the material world. What could be more wonderful than this?”
Superficially, we all recognize that we shall die one day. We take out insurance policies to provide for those who will live after us. We make out wills bequeathing whatever we own to our loved ones. We may even put money aside for our own funeral, cemetery plot, and gravestone. But Radhanath Swami assures that this is not real preparation for death. Radhanath Swami expresses that it is surely lamentable that most people don’t inquire into these questions seriously; they keep up the illusion that death won’t come to them. Unwilling to face death, they concentrate wholeheartedly on enjoying their present life, with no concern for the next.
Quoting Vedic teachings that probe deeply into the meaning of death—and beyond, Radhanath Swami cites the examples from Bhagavad Gita. When Lord Krishna found His friend Arjuna aggrieved over the future deaths of his relatives, He counseled, “Those who are wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead.” He then taught Arjuna that there was never a time “when I did not exist, nor you nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.” Radhanath Swami says that according to the knowledge of transmigration of the soul, as given by enlightened sages in Vedic scriptures, we can understand that the real self, the real person, is different from the perishable body. The body dies, but the soul goes on to take another body according to its deeds (or karma) in this life. Because the soul is eternal, we should not overly lament the death of our friends, or our own death.
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Founder-acharya of the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
“Go to India” a sweet but commanding voice; spoke up in the heart of young Richard (later Radhanath Swami) who was immersed in meditation, his search for meaning in life has brought him to the Isle of Crete. Today he was ordered to go to India. Born and raised in the middle class suburbs of Chicago, Radhanath swami grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s era when popular musicians protested war, prejudice and social injustice. Radhanath swami would listen to these songs again and again, but their lyrics referring to God stirred his soul. Peter, Paul and Mary- the folk trio from Greenswich village sang in their debut album
“Early in the morning, about the break of day
I ask the Lord, to help me find my way”
This simple prayer was to guide Radhanath swami in the coming years of his life........
Brilliant article by HH Radhanath Maharaj.Thank you so much for sharing this.haribol!
View CommentHow wonderful. Radhanath Swami learnt lessons in all situations.
View CommentNice message on death which is inevitable truth.
View CommentReally the assets are not important but the knowledge about the soul and the super soul are important.The body perishes but what about the future?It is very essential that we should get prepared well for our real examination which every one has to face.Who knows when the time serpent comes and strikes.Really wonderful article by maharaj.All glories to maharaj.
View CommentIt is a jolt into reality when we pay attention to Radhanath Swami’s words that writing wills or making insurance policies is not the real preparation for death.
View CommentVery nice experiance & view to death very inspring
View CommentHow wonderful Radhanath Swami has learnt spiritual wisdom even from death.
View CommentWonderful article about death and how we refuse to acknowledge that all of us have to die one day.
View CommentThank you for sharing this wonderful aspect on this most wonderful aspect of death. Radhanath swami gives a perfect perspective.
View CommentAmazing article- Getting deeper truths of life. Thank you very much
View CommentVery True. We are not bodies but souls. An intelligent person takes care of soul rather body. All glories to HH Radhanatha Swami Maharaja.
View Commentmost imp lesson of all lessons
View CommentVery thought provoking article……thanks Swamiji for sharing your profound realisations……
View CommentThank you for sharing this incident from Radhanath Swami’s autobiography and his own words of wisdom.
View CommentVery Interesting !
View CommentRealistic and thought provoking, thank you very much for sharing.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is one of the most amazing teachers of modern-day-spirituality!!!
View Commentvery nice experience of maharaj and view to death
View Commentamazing maharaj wrote
real understanding of this material existence
View CommentThis is the most illuminating knowledge that anyone can perhaps learn – the futility of life in this world. Thank u Radhanath Swami and all the great acharyas who have given us this precious knowledge.
View CommentWonderful article. One need to develop renunciation from the material pleasures which ends with the body for ever.
View CommentJagannath Dham DasAn excellent altcire on how we can remain fixed in our vows in our married life and at the same time cultivate saintly qualities which helps us come closer to GOD !Thank you very much Mataji !All Glories to Srila Radhanath Swami Maharaj for providing us such wonderful facility to grow in all situations of life !Hare Krishna !
View CommentThank you for this very thought provoking article on death. Although most of us accept death on a very superficial level, we still aspire to live forever in this world.
View CommentWonderful talk on death!
View CommentWe are not this material body but spirit soul, so one should not lament.
View CommentIt is important to remember death at every moment to make us humble and remind us always the importance of devotional service which is nothing but preparation for death.
View CommentGreat article !
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