Life is preparation, death is final examination

[Guest guest]

HARE KRISHNA

 

Krishna gives us the clue in Bhagavat Gita, as to what should be our

state of mind at the time of death, so that we may return back to

Him. Krishna says:

 

anta kale ca mam eva smaran muktva kalevaram

yah prayati sa mad bhavam yati nasty atra samsayah

 

" And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body remembering Me

alone at once attains, My nature. Of this there is no doubt. "

 

 

yam yam vapi smaran bhavam tyajaty ante kalevaram

tam tam evaiti kaunteya sada tad-bhava-bhavitah

 

" Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son

of Kunti, that state he will attain without fails " .

 

tasmat sarvesu kalesu mam anusmara yudhya ca

mayy arpita mano buddhir mam evaisyasy asamsaysh

 

" Therefore, Arjuna you should think of Me in the form of Krishna and

at the time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With you

activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on

Me, you will attain Me without doubt " .

 

 

 

These instructions of Lord Krishna to Arjuna are very important for

all of us. A person who at the end of his life quits his body

thinking of Krishna attains the transcendental nature of the Supreme

Lord.

 

So if one has to return to Krishna's abode, one has to think of

Krishna and remember Krishna at the time of death. How can one

think of Krishna at the time of death? If one is always engaged in

thinking of Krishna and serving Krishna throughout one's life, then

one can think of Krishna at the time of death. If one wants to bag

the first rank in the state board exam of 10th standard, he has to

prepare throughout the year. Similarly this life is a preparation

period, to train our body and mind to love and serve Krishna.

Gradually, we will be cleansed of all misgivings (like lust, pride,

envy, anger and illusion) and develop a spontaneous love for serving

Krishna. This way when we become absorbed in Krishna, we will be

successfully able to think of Krishna at the time of death and

attain his Supreme abode. So one's thoughts during the course of

one's life accumulate to influence one's thoughts at the moment of

death. So the way in which we lead our present life is going to

decide our next life. The more a person develops a taste for hearing

about Krishna and serving Him with faith and devotion, the more is

the guarantee for that person to return back to His abode. Always

think of Krishna and never forget

Krishna.

 

Somebody may say " Ok you say that if I think of Krishna at the time

of death, I will return back to Him. So now let me enjoy the life in

the way I want. And at the time of death, I will quickly think of

Krishna and return to His Supreme abode. This way I can achieve best

of both the worlds. How is my idea? " These people think they are

more intelligent that Krishna. Who can cheat Krishna? A person who

has led a materialistic life throughout cannot think of Krishna even

if he endeavors to at the time of his death. How can a student who

has not prepared anything for his exam get a distinction?

 

Actually we have no power to think of Krishna at the time of death,

because death is very agonizing experience involving intense pain.

When we cannot constantly think of Krishna in a normal condition,

how can we foolishly expect to think of Krishna in such a miserable

condition? It is impossible. But Krishna can make it possible, by

showing his mercy upon us, if He is pleased by seeing our sincerity

in serving Him. So one should tolerate all the impediments in

spiritual life and continue to chant His name so that at the end of

one's life one can have the full benefits of Krishna consciousness.

 

 

Hare Krishna

 

Padma