A beautiful death, Simple and easy death
Although death is the last destination of life, we all are afraid of this ultimate reality. One who is not afraid of death is not afraid of anything. The way one deals with death, the state of consciousness at the time of death, summarizes one’s life. Most of the people die with sadness, helplessness and with regret. “I should have had more time to enjoy life, death snatched away before I could enjoy” – is the greatest regret people have.
When we are full of desires we struggle at the time of death. Death wants to take the consciousness out of the body, but we are not ready to let go of this only device to fulfill our desires, we keep on fighting with death. What so ever we do, spend a lot of money, visit doctors, pray, offer sacrifices – it’s death who is the ultimate winner. This defeat is our lives’ greatest failure which has to be accepted by the successful, powerful and wise.
The realization and understanding of this helplessness gives birth to religiousness and nirvana. What is the meaning of all our fame, fortune and to be surrounded by family members if the destiny is death? Actually, we neither want to think nor talk about this bitter truth. Buddha went into the path of Nirvana when he witnessed one death. But we go to funerals of many people but our hearts are never touched by this naked truth that we will also have to die one day.
Kabir used to say, “When the whole world is scared of death, I, Kabir, am waiting for the moment death arrives, so that I can be free from the chains of the body and rest in utter peace.
Osho also taught us to celebrate death. Death can only be a celebration when we can enter into it with a happy and rested heart. One who can do so is a real Saint. Those who cannot accept this reality, are all irreligious. Osho Said, “those who can accept death with happiness and gratitude, they are the real saints.”
I was invited to inaugurate a new commune “Osho Venuban” in a remote village in Dhading. 500 friends from around that area had gathered. Looking at the naturalness, innocence and love of these people, made me realize the meagerness of the so called successful, rich, civilized and educated Kathmandu people – who lacked all of these soft qualities. Despite of the evil political movement, they still have the innocent eyes and the humbleness. I was worried if this humbleness was short lived. Few foreigner friends who went with us commented, “Although we are able to make ashrams with all the facilities in the west, from where will be bring such laugher and innocence?”
I am still amazed by the mystical event that happened during this trip. I had travelled via helicopter in this remote village, due to the lack of proper roads. But on my way back we took a Jeep so that we could talk to the local friends on the way. There are many Osho Sannyasisn in many villages in Dhading and we received warm welcome wherever we went. I thanked Osho many times that Had I not been HIS disciple, I might have had all the worldly pleasure, but I would not have received so much love and respect.
On our way we stopped by Akhukhola, a very scenic river. It reminded me of Rishikesh. We were welcomed by 20-25 friends. In the mean time I was talking to them, an old woman came with a bunch of flowers in her hand. Someone introduced her , “She is Padmakumari Timilsina and she lived in some village and walked all the way in spite of her old age. She was 80 years old.” Many in her family were Osho sannyasins. She had heard about me and she had a great longing to meet me. Looking at her love and trust, I gave her the garland my friends had put on me and she namaste’d me. I took her hand and told her “Live rest of your life in joy and share the same joy with all around you.” I saw that her eyes were full of tears. Since we had to make a long trip back home, we left.
In the next village, Swami Dharma Chaitanya had made arrangements for our lunch. He was initiated at Osho tapoban. Having seen only dirty streams in Kathmandu, we could not resist the clean pristine waters of the river nearby and we all dived in. after that we had delicious naturally grown food. Although I had to watch what I ate, I could not resist and took three rounds of food. It was all his love that made me eat more and more. This reminded me of the food served in Banana leaves at Raman ashram in Trivannamalai. We enjoyed the enchanting Trishuli River and reached at Tapoban. As soon as we reached there, Sovita called.
The 80 years old Padma Kumari had returned back to her village. She had evening dinner and sat on her bed. She then called all her kins and told the – I had a great desire to see Swami Arun. Today I went and saw him and my last desire is also fulfilled. Now I don’t have any desire – I will leave this body and there is nothing to worry about. And then she passed away with awareness after some time. Hearing this unbelievable event came as amazement. From the outside this event might look simple, but its rate. This type of death is only possible after a lot of understanding, awareness and meditation. Although we like to cheat in every walk of life, we have not yet been clever enough to cheat death. A mere thought of death gives us shivers. Death, that had scared everyone, was not able to scare the innocent and simple Padma Kumari. Thinking about her melts my heart and moistens my eyes. I pray that we all have similarly beautiful death.
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