What lies beyond?

A Hindu, for instance, is taught to think of death as the last offering, thus removing the fear of death because it is now a voluntary act. The belief goes that it is enough to just say the Name with your last breath, like Bapu did. There’s even a story that a wicked old man called out to his two sons as he died. But since their names were Shankar and Shambhu, he attained grace.

Who knows, really? One can only pray for grace, as all people do, in life and death. Central to a Hindu funeral are Verses 17 and 18 of the lovely Isha Upanishad. Vaayur anilam amritam athedam bhasmaantam shariram/Om kratu smara krtam smara kratu smara krtam smara. Our living breath merges in immortal Life, our body turns to ash/Om. O Will, remember that which was done/O Will, remember that which was done. And then: Agne naya supatha raaye/asmaan vishvaani deva vayunaani vidvaan/ yuyudhya samaj juhura nameno/bhuyishthaam te namauktim videhema. O Agni, who knows it all, lead me to happiness by the good path, let me be freed from my past sins, I beseech you.

But these verses are also a powerful invocation by the seeker who has worked hard to cleanse his soul to the take-off point, but needs grace for that final leap of understanding. Is it to help us along that the Isha Upanishad begins with these tender words: “Ishavasyam idam sarvam/ Yat kincha jagatyam jagat/Tena tyaktena bhunjhita/Ma gridah, kasya svid dhanam”. All things belong to God. So don’t cling, learn to let go – Whose is it all, anyway?