In this digital age, we receive tonnes of information via various social media platforms. Most information includes suggestions, guidance, jokes, and stories pertaining to the current day to help people deal with challenging situations.

Our ancient history recorded the most important questions and their answer which are forever useful to every human being irrespective of gender, caste, creed, religion, nationality, etc.  The question posed by Sri Parikshit Maharaj to Sri Sukadev Swami is a prime example as detailed by the Srimad Bhagavatam.

The question

Purushyasye:ha yath ka:ryam mriyama:nasya sarvadha:
Yath sro:tavyam, adha japyam, yath kartavyam …nrupihi: prabhu
Nitara:m mriyama:na:na:m samsiddhasya vani:yasaha

Oh, great sage!  My departure from this body is confirmed.  I have been told that I have 7 days to live. Therefore, I have come out of the kingdom to seek guidance. 

When one knows that their death is inevitable, what must one listen to, meditate upon, and which activities one must take up? How can one make the best use of the time so that there is a better standard of life after death?

The seeker was

A great pious and righteous king named Pari:kshith

The king was blessed by Lord Krishna Himself to successfully come out of a life-threatening situation in his mother’s womb.  He was the grandson of Arjuna.

The answer was given by

A renowned sage, Sri Sukha Mahamuni, the son of Veda Vyasa Maharshi

He was 16 years old and born in a realized state, similar to Nammalvar.  Sukadeva Swami appreciated the king’s question because it was asked in such a way that it could benefit the entire world.  It aims at lokahitham, upliftment of the entire existence.

The answer

Janma labhaha parah pumsa:mante: Na:rayana smruthi hi

The very purpose of human life is to meditate on Lord, Sriman Narayana!

– Bhagavatham, 2nd canto, 1st chapter, 6th sloka

De:ha:patya kalatra:dishu
A:tma sainye:su asatsvapi
Te:sha:m pramattho: nidhanam pasyannapi
na pasyathi..

The Human body is a valuable instrument to reach that purpose. Padam tath paramam vishno:ho mano: yatra prasi:dathi.  Therefore, the body and everything that comes with the body, such as family, relatives, friends, position, or possession must only aid one in reaching this goal. It is surprising that many people see others leaving their bodies, possessions, family, etc. but still tend to dedicate their lives only to achieve the same. Maintaining the body and what comes with the body is not the ultimate goal. Therefore, focus on achieving the purpose of life.

I am not keen on what happens after this life, Let me live the way I desire!

One must not feel that there is nothing after the death of this body.  “Death” is merely disassociation of the soul (oneself) with the current body. “If one really desires” for an improved standard of living in the next body, one must know what it is.

Tasma:t bha:ratha sarva:tma: bhagava:n eeswaro: hari hi..
Srotavya:ha, keertitavyaha smartasyaccha icchatha: abhayam

“If you really desire” for a better standard of living by coming out of the limitations resulting from karma in this current body, you should listen to and sing the glories of the one who is above all the limitations, possessing divine attributes, great qualities, with supreme power with the unquestionable command, and who can eliminate all sins, – He is I:swara, the Lord!  The only way for us to achieve that is to meditate upon him, Mukunda.

Who is Mukunda?

Mukum dada:ti iti mukunda: one who can free the soul from limitations of the body is called Mukunda!  Let your thoughts fix onto the lotus feet of Mukunda (a:susya:n mukunda: mati hi) and carry out your responsibilities accordingly. Hari, Narayana, and Mukunda are all divine names of the same Supreme Power, God. 

Utilize the connection with your body, family, friends, relatives, work, surroundings, and resources to aid you in knowing about God, serving Him, and thereby reaching a state where you can simply detach with everything and focus on Sriman Narayana with complete devotion!  This need not take years, decades, or several lifetimes – it can happen quickly with great devotion and focus.  This is what the king, Khatvanga Maharaj, achieved within only 1 muhurta  (48 minutes) before exiting his current body. 

With so much information floating around in this “information” age, let’s keep our senses open and pay attention to this ultimate goal. All other aspirations are ONLY distractions and decreasing our productive time in this body.  Remember, as each day goes by – we are only losing time. 

aayur harathi vai pumsa:m udyan astan cha
Yannasow tasyatteyacha ni:taya uttama sloka va:rthaya

The shining Sun you see every morning is like a saw that is slowly cutting down a tree (the body that we are in now) lying in the middle of the road.  During the first few days, months, or years, you may not feel the impact of the sawing. However, one day, the tree will be cut in half.  Before that happens, let’s know about our savior, the goal of our journey – Lord Srimannarayana!

– From the discourse of Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– Srimad Bhagavatham, June 27 th 2020, Volume 7