Desireless, wise, immortal, self-existent, full of bliss, lacking in nothing, is the one who knows the wise, un-aging, youthful atman; he fears not death! § ATHARVA VEDA 10.8.44§ |
Death
Finally come night and death, the irreversible destiny of all sentient things, the conclusion of one cycle of life. Pictured here is a traditional cremation ceremony, with the eldest son lighting the pyre. Behind, Lord Siva’s spreads His arems in blessing.§
When this atman becomes weak and unconscious, then all the life powers collect around him. Then he gathers to himself all the particles of light and descends into the heart. When the person in the eye withdraws from him, he no longer recognizes forms. §
“He is becoming one,” they say, “he does not see.” “He is becoming one,” they say, “he does not smell.” “He is becoming one,” they say, “he does not taste.” “He is becoming one,” they say, “he does not speak.” “He is becoming one,” they say, “he does not hear.” “He is becoming one,” they say, “he does not think.” “He is becoming one,” they say, “he does not feel.” “He is becoming one,” they say, “he does not understand.” §
The tip of his heart gets illumined and, being illumined, the atman departs through the eye or the head or some other part of the body. As he departs, the breath of life departs after him; and when the breath of life departs, all other breaths follow. He then is reunited with consciousness and departs together with consciousness. His knowledge and his works and his past experiences accompany him.§
YAJUR VEDA, BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD 4.4§
From unreality lead me to reality; from darkness lead me to light; from death lead me to immortality.§
YAJUR VEDA, BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD 1.3§
Just as a cucumber is removed from its stalk, so from Death’s bonds may I be removed, but not from Immortality!§
RIG VEDA 1.10.115§