The combination of elements and the movement of breath inside the human body is called life. All beings with physical bodies live in this way. Therefore, in this type of life, there is always an underlying fear of death.
If we look deeper, we see that although people desire life, they simultaneously fear death. The stronger the attachment to life, the greater the fear of losing it. Even if life becomes tasteless, the body becomes weak, and one is surrounded by illness and sorrow, still a person desires to live. The longing for life is deep and powerful. Unless and until a person receives something superior to life, this desire continues, and the fear of death remains.
Since ancient times, human beings have tried to find some way through which death could be avoided and life prolonged forever. Countless efforts were made to extend life; yogis and ascetics practiced various disciplines to live longer. The wealthy consumed special preparations to keep their weakening bodies alive.
Everyone tries to lengthen life, but few think about making life meaningful or understanding its true purpose. People try endlessly to keep death away.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji presented a profound truth before the world: if one welcomes death with open arms, then with the disappearance of the fear of death, one attains a supreme state of life.
Gurbani
ਪਹਿਲਾ ਮਰਣੁ ਕਬੂਲਿ ਜੀਵਣ ਕੀ ਛਡਿ ਆਸ ॥
pehilā maran kabūl jīvan kī chaḍ ās.
First, accept death, and give up any hope of life.
ਹੋਹੁ ਸਭਨਾ ਕੀ ਰੇਣੁਕਾ ਤਉ ਆਉ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਪਾਸਿ॥੧॥ (ਅੰਗ ੧੧੦੨)
hohu sabhnā kī reṇukā tau āo hamārai pās. ||1||
Become the dust of the feet of all, and then you may come to me.
According to Gurbani, human life is a precious material, an opportunity, and a priceless jewel. Yet the foolish mind wastes it in worldly pursuits, losing this rare opportunity and trading the jewel for something as worthless as a cowrie shell.
ਜਨਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਖੋਇ ਗਵਾਰਾ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੬੭੬)
janam padārath khoe gavārā. ||Pause||
The foolish mortal wastes this precious human life.
ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੧੨)
gobind milan kī ih terī barīā.
This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.
ਹੀਰੇ ਜੈਸਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਉਡੀ ਬਦਲੇ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥
hīre jaisā janam hai kaurī badle jāe. ||1||
Human life is like a diamond, but it is traded away for a mere shell.
It is often said that sleep and death are alike. When a person is deeply asleep, their connection with family and the world is temporarily broken. Death also breaks these bonds. But people do not fear sleep because they know they will awaken and relationships will be restored. With death, however, once bonds break, they remain severed, and so people grieve.
The joy and comfort in life come from parents, siblings, spouse, children, wealth, and material possessions. Family gives a sense of security. Wealth helps us meet our needs, and worldly objects give enjoyment.
But when God becomes one’s family and relative, a person rises above worldly relationships. When one discovers the wealth of Naam (the Divine Name), gold appears like mere glass. When the treasure of Naam is obtained, all material pleasures become tasteless.
ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿਤਾ ਤੂੰ ਹੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਾਤਾ ॥
tūn merā pitā tūn hai merā mātā.
You are my Father, and You are my Mother.
ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਭ੍ਰਾਤਾ॥
tūn merā bandhap tūn merā bhrātā.
You are my Relative, You are my Brother.
ਜਾ ਕਉ ਮਿਲਿਓ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥ ਭਨਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਪੂਰ ਖਜਾਨਾ॥
jā kau milio nām nidhānā. bhanat Nānak tā kā pūr khajānā.
One who obtains the treasure of the Naam — says Nanak, his treasure house overflows.
ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਾਂਗੈ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੩੯੪)
har nām padārath Nānak māngai.
Nanak begs for the treasure of the Naam.
When such a divine family, such wealth, and such treasure are found, then fear disappears — and even the desire for worldly life fades.
(Courtesy: Guru Chintan)
Giani Sant Singh Ji Maskeen
