Death - 2

Question:  At the last moment of one's life, if there is no remembrance of God nor of the world, what will be the outcome?

Swami Ramsukhdasji:  This is not possible. Something or the other will definitely be remembered - "na hi kaschitkshanamapi jaatu tishthatyakarmakrt" (Gita 3:5)

Question:  For remembrance of God to take place at the final moment, for such a thing to happen, what must one do?

Swamiji:  Remember God at all times, because each moment it self is the final moment. One does not know when death will arrive! Therefore God has said in the Gita - "tastmaatsarveshu kaaaleshu maamnusmar" (Gita 8:7). "Therefore at all times, you be in remembrance of Me and also engage in war"

Question:  Whatever the man remembers at the time of death (at time of leaving his body), that he will attain, does this ruling apply to even those that commit suicide ?

Swamiji:  Yes! it applies to those who are committing suicide as well. But for those individuals it is very difficult for them to be in remembrance of God (auspiciousness). This is because they are committing suicide out of deep pain and sorrow, but their desire remains to be happy. Secondly, when the life force is leaving them, they are repenting of their act, but they are unable to do anything about it. Thirdly, while life force is leaving, they undergo terrible and immense difficulties. If their inner feelings are pure, if they have faith in God, if they desire to remember God, then they will not do this terrible crime of committing suicide. Lastly, it is because the inner intellect is impure, that one thinks of committing suicide. Therefore those that commit suicide have a major downfall. Skanda Purana says that such persons do not attain salvation for several lives to come. Therefore, intelligent people must never ever think of suicide even out of forgetfulness or mistake.

Source:"Prashnouttermanimala" pg 94-95 by Swami Ramsukhdasji

Read: What is Death?