Death in a holy place
Philosophy · asked by user [] · 2010-04-27 · 12 answers
Since this thread is already a little old:
http://www.pariprashnena.com/discussion/390/suicide-and-next-life/#Item_0
I opened up a new one.
In Mathura Mahatmya by Srila Rupa Gosvami it is stated:
A verse in Brahamanda states: those who get the darshan of Lord Achyuta, the son of Devaki, can attain Visnuloka and are never driven back to the material world. Those who devotedly perform the festivals related to the Yatras of Krsna also go to Visnuloka freed from all sorts of vices and sins. Another verse in the Patla Khanda of Padma Purana says: Women, untouchables, Sudras, animals, birds, deer, etc. can attain salvation if they die in Mathura. Those who die by snake bite, by the attack of wild animals, from fire, from water, or any other sort of unnatural death, while in Mathura, are transferred to Vaikuntha loka, the abode of Hari.
http://harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/br/br44.htm
This would mean, if one jumps into the ganga after my pilgrimage to Mathura, he would go back to the spiritual world, since shastra is always 100% authority.
Or can anyone disprove this by shastric evidence? There are similar statements about Navadwip. This seems to be a special mercy of the holy places for those searching liberation.
If you stay for 2 weeks,then liberation is granted:
To live in Vrndavana is the highest perfection and to grow up in Vrndavana the greatest fortune'85 Even to live in Mathura-mandala for a fortnight guarantees one liberation. (Srila Prabhupada letter, 20 January 1976)
The book can be downloaded here:
http://www.iskconmedia.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=63&func=fileinfo&id=35507
http://www.pariprashnena.com/discussion/390/suicide-and-next-life/#Item_0
I opened up a new one.
In Mathura Mahatmya by Srila Rupa Gosvami it is stated:
A verse in Brahamanda states: those who get the darshan of Lord Achyuta, the son of Devaki, can attain Visnuloka and are never driven back to the material world. Those who devotedly perform the festivals related to the Yatras of Krsna also go to Visnuloka freed from all sorts of vices and sins. Another verse in the Patla Khanda of Padma Purana says: Women, untouchables, Sudras, animals, birds, deer, etc. can attain salvation if they die in Mathura. Those who die by snake bite, by the attack of wild animals, from fire, from water, or any other sort of unnatural death, while in Mathura, are transferred to Vaikuntha loka, the abode of Hari.
http://harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/br/br44.htm
This would mean, if one jumps into the ganga after my pilgrimage to Mathura, he would go back to the spiritual world, since shastra is always 100% authority.
Or can anyone disprove this by shastric evidence? There are similar statements about Navadwip. This seems to be a special mercy of the holy places for those searching liberation.
If you stay for 2 weeks,then liberation is granted:
To live in Vrndavana is the highest perfection and to grow up in Vrndavana the greatest fortune'85 Even to live in Mathura-mandala for a fortnight guarantees one liberation. (Srila Prabhupada letter, 20 January 1976)
The book can be downloaded here:
http://www.iskconmedia.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=63&func=fileinfo&id=35507
user [265] · 2010-05-04
[quote][cite] borokrsnadasa:[/cite]"Emperor Pariksit received the information of his death in time, and he at once left his kingdom and family and sat down on the bank of the Ganges to fast till death. " also in Bhagavata Purana 1.4.10./1.19.7/1.19.12/Shrila Prabhupada also practiced "praya-upavesah-the fast until death" just as his father did as well, and Prabhupada mentioned this to be a bona fide way to end life at your will. (it took some two month or so for devotees to convince him to stop fasting).[/quote]
That simply means they fasted until death came to them in a natural course, not that they starved themselves to death.
user [557] · 2010-05-04
One bonifide process to leave body is sati...or to enter the funeral pyre of husband....or guru!user [447] · 2010-04-27
[quote][cite] future_hope:[/cite]Another verse in the Patla Khanda of Padma Purana says: Women, untouchables, Sudras, animals, birds, deer, etc. can attain salvation if they die in Mathura. Those who die by snake bite, by the attack of wild animals, from fire, from water, or any other sort of unnatural death, while in Mathura, are transferred to Vaikuntha loka, the abode of Hari.[br]
This would mean, if one jumps into the ganga after my pilgrimage to Mathura, he would go back to the spiritual world, since shastra is always 100% authority.[/quote]
Jumping into a river with the intent to leave the body is suicide![br]
To conclude that committing suicide in a holy place with the intention to obtain the benefits of dying in the holy place?
user [265] · 2010-04-27
These injunctions were not meant to include suicide. You cant cheat Krsna because he is the king of cheaters...user [512] · 2010-04-28
I dont want to cheat Krishna. Why do you think he gave this? Of course this is not for the Path of Pure Devotional Service, but if you seek liberation than you can get it in mathura.
If you can get there than this is Krshnas mercy already.
@Baker: It states "...or any other sort of unnatural death,..." that includes suicide, since its a form of unnatural death.
If you somehow die there at least you will ge elevated in pious life, if you go on Pilgrimage first!
user [38] · 2010-04-28
Somehow die and die by suicide are not the same.user [447] · 2010-04-28
[quote][cite] future_hope:[/cite]I dont want to cheat Krishna.[/quote]Then why seek liberation?[br]
[br]
[quote]@Baker: It states "...or any other sort of unnatural death,..." that includes suicide, since its a form of unnatural death.[/quote]
To me, this is offensive reasoning - similar to the offense of committing sinful activities on the strength of chanting the holy name.[br][br]
[quote]If you somehow die there at least you will ge elevated in pious life, if you go on Pilgrimage first![/quote]
Do you have any idea what it is like to drown?[br][br]
I once had a swimming/diving incident. I overestimated my abilities. Eventually, I was exhausted and breathed in seawater. I have some idea what drowning is like. I think that anyone who would be able to keep a properly focused mind while drowning would also be capable of continuing with their daily life, however bad it may be.
user [170] · 2010-04-29
There are bona-fide ways to leave this body at your own will, that are not considered suicide and yet are willful acts to end this life.user [265] · 2010-04-29
[quote][cite] future_hope:[/cite]Why do you think he gave this? Of course this is not for the Path of Pure Devotional Service, but if you seek liberation than you can get it in mathura. [/quote]
These injunctions are meant to encourage people to visit holy places because that is where tha sadhus reside. Shastras encourage sadhus to reside in holy places. A sadhu will help you change your life, become more Krsna conscious. When old or sick people think about pilgrimage they worry about their death - so Krsna gives them a boon: if you die in a holy place you will be liberated. But the real reason is to encourage them to change their life by associating with the sadhus.
user [447] · 2010-04-30
[quote][cite] borokrsnadasa:[/cite]There are bona-fide ways to leave this body at your own will, that are not considered suicide and yet are willful acts to end this life.[/quote]Could you provide some sastric reference for this?[br]
[br]I can think of one reference, from NoD 9:[br][br]
"...[br]There are three ways of dealing with such insults. If someone is heard blaspheming by words, one should be so expert that he can defeat the opposing party by argument. [b]If he is unable to defeat the opposing party, then the next step is that he should not just stand there meekly, but should give up his life.[/b] The third process is followed if he is unable to execute the above-mentioned two processes, and this is that one must leave the place and go away. If a devotee does not follow any of the above-mentioned three processes, he falls down from his position of devotion."[br][br]
Although I am not sure how this is to be implemented correctly.
user [170] · 2010-05-01
"Emperor Pariksit received the information of his death in time, and he at once left his kingdom and family and sat down on the bank of the Ganges to fast till death. " also in Bhagavata Purana 1.4.10./1.19.7/1.19.12/Shrila Prabhupada also practiced "praya-upavesah-the fast until death" just as his father did as well, and Prabhupada mentioned this to be a bona fide way to end life at your will. (it took some two month or so for devotees to convince him to stop fasting).
user [154] · 2010-05-21
--------- Forwarded Message ----------Text PAMHO:19674766 (4 lines)
From: Trivikrama Swami
Date: 21-May-10 08:03 -0400
To: Basu Ghosh (das) ACBSP (Baroda - IN) [124907] (received: 21-May-10 17:43 +0530)
To: Bhima (das) ACBSP (BBT India, Juhu, Mumbai - IN) [59637]
To: Jasomatinandan (das) ACBSP (Gujarat - IN) [20065]
To: "Greg Jay" <jay.greg@gmail.com> (sent: 21-May-10 14:05 +0200)
Cc: (Krsna) Katha [14418]
Cc: Jayadvaita Swami [91403]
Cc: Daivisakti (dd) ACBSP (Vrindavana - IN) [28016]
Cc: Deena Bandhu (das) ACBSP (Vrindavan - IN) [34548]
Cc: Dravida (das) ACBSP (San Diego - USA) [33515] (forwarded: 21-May-10 14:10 +0200)
Cc: "Judy Harris" <jusaniya@msn.com> (sent: 21-May-10 14:05 +0200)
Cc: "sangita dd" <sangitaacbsp@gmail.com> (sent: 21-May-10 14:05 +0200)
Reference: Text PAMHO:19673343 by Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami
Comment: Text PAMHO:19675121 by Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami
Subject: fast unto death sastra pramanam anyone?
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When because of disease or old age one is unable to perform his prescribed duties for advancement in spiritual consciousness or study of the Vedas, he should practice fasting, not taking any food.
SB 7.12.23
(Text PAMHO:19674766) --------------------------------------
------- End of Forwarded Message ------