What Becomes of the Soul After Death - Divine Life Society

144 Pages·1999·0.42 MB·English

by  Swami Sivananda

WHAT BECOMES OF THE SOUL AFTER DEATH

By

SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

SERVE, LOVE, GIVE,
PURIFY, MEDITATE,

REALIZE
So Says
Sri Swami Sivananda
Sri Swami Sivananda
Founder of
The Divine Life Society

A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION
Thirteenth Edition: 1997
(8,000 Copies)

World Wide Web (WWW) Edition: 1999

WWW site: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/

This WWW reprint is for free distribution

© The Divine Life Trust Society

ISBN 81-7052-011-8

Published By
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
P.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR—249 192
Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh,
Himalayas, India.
OM

DEDICATED

TO

LORD YAMA, MARKANDEYA, NACHIKETAS,
SAVITRI AND NANDI, THE ETERNAL
ATTENDANT OF LORD SIVA, WHO HAVE
ALL UNRAVELLED THE MYSTERIES
OF THE LIFE BEYOND DEATH

OM
5thDecember,1957
ChildrenofImmortality!
There is a living, unchanging, eternal Consciousness that underlies all names and forms.
That isGodorBrahman.
God is the end of all actions. He is the end of all Sadhanas, Yoga practices. Seek Him.
RealiseHim.Onlythencanyoubefreeandperfect.Lookupontheworldasamirage.Leadalifeof
selfless service, renunciation, dispassion, prayer and meditation. You will soon attain
God-realisation.
May Godblessyou.OmTatSat.
ThyownAtman,
Sivananda
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE
The problem of life beyond death has ever been a most fascinating one from time
immemorial. Man has always been intrigued by the question, “What becomes of the Soul after
Death?” The present volume, as the title suggests, treats in detail of the subject and furnishes an
answertotheagelongquestion.
In recent times there has been much speculation on this problem. This had led to a lot of
research work too. The fact of continuity of consciousness after physical death has come to be
accepted as such by most of the modern thinkers, latest of whom, the famous scientist, Dr. J.B.
Rhine, has expressed himself in favour of such belief. Many books have been written on this
subject,buthithertomostoftheworksdealmainlywiththeastralorotherspiritworld.Ithasmostly
been the study of the conditions in the Pretaloka which is merely one among the numerous
supramundane planes beyond the grave. Spiritism, seance and the testimony of recognised
mediumshaveformostpartfeaturedprominentlyinallsuchworks.
ThispresentbookbySwamiSivanandajiMaharajisadeparturefromtheusuallineinthatit
isbased,toagreatextent,uponauthoritativescripturaltextsanduponknowledgederivedthrough
reasoning, deep reflection and personal meditation. It throws a flood of light upon all aspects of
post-mortem existence not adequately dealt with in other works. The book also gives valuable
informationaboutthedifferentbeliefsonthissubject,ofthevariousracesandreligions.
The portions giving the inner meaning and esoteric significance of the different practices
andcustomsinconnectionwiththedeadformamostinformativeone.Theappendixandthestories
intheendandtheveryinterestingpoemsinthebeginningaremostthought-provokingandhighly
inspiring.
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Wefeelthattheperusalofthepresentworkwillconfirmman’sbeliefthat‘deathisnotthe
endoflife’,thathisactionshereunfailinglyreactuponhiminthe‘afterstate’tooandwillstimulate
his Vichara or power of investigation. We have no doubt that the reader will be helped to make a
properevaluationoftherealworthofthisphysicalexistenceupontheearthplaneinthelightofthis
newknowledgeofthesupracorporealstatesofbeing.
—THE DIVINELIFESOCIETY
INTRODUCTION
Paraloka-Vidyaorthescienceaboutthedepartedsoulsandtheirplanesoflivingisasubject
ofabsorbinginterest.ItisaMysteriousSciencewhichcontainsmanysecretsorhiddenwonders.It
hasintimateconnectionwithPanchagni-Vidyaorthescienceoftransmigrationpropoundedinthe
Chhandogya Upanishad. The doctrine of reincarnation or metempsychosis, transmigration of the
soul and spiritualism come under the Paraloka-Vidya. Everybody is curious and anxious to know
thisscience.
Greatscientists,theinventorsofmanymarvellousthings,mightyEmperorswhohavedone
stupendous works, inspired poets, wonderful artists, many Brahmins, Rishis, Yogins have come
and gone. You are all extremely anxious to know what has become to them. Do they still exist?
Whatisthereattheothersideofdeath?Havetheybecomenon-existentorhavetheydwindledinto
anairynothing?Suchquestionsdoarisespontaneouslyintheheartsofall.Thesamequestionarises
todayasitarosethousandsofyearsago.Noonecanstopit,becauseitisinseparablyconnectedwith
ournature.
Deathisasubjectwhichisofthedeepestinteresttoeveryone.Onedayorotherallmustdie.
Theterrorofdeathovershadowsthelivesofallhumanbeings.Itbringsconsiderablyunnecessary
sorrow, suffering and anxiety to the survivors who are anxious to know about the fate of the
departedsouls.
In the West also this question has aroused a great deal of interest and attention in certain
scientific circles. Much investigation has been made. But the researches have, however, been
confined more or less to find out whether or not the individuality survives and persists after the
dissolutionofthephysicalbody.Thishasbeenprovedintheaffirmativebyactualcommunication
withthespiritworldthroughscience,mediumshipetc.
Aknowledgeofthissciencewillrobdeathofallitsterrorandsorrowandenableyoutosee
it in the proper light and to understand its place in the scheme of your evolution. It will certainly
goadyoutofindoutsuitablemethodstoconquerdeathandattainimmortality.Itwillforciblyurge
youtotaketothestudyofBrahma-VidyainrightearnestandfindoutthetrueMasterorillumined
sage who can put you in the right path of Truth and explain to you the mysteries of Kaivalya or
Brahma-Jnana.
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The other side of death is accurately described in this book. It has been scientifically
examinedandcarefullydescribed.Thisbookcontainsabundantinformationonthissubject.Itwill
giveyouawealthoffactsonthistopic.ItcontainstheessenceoftheUpanishadicteachings.
Youhavesufferedverymuchsimplyoutofignoranceandsuperstitionconcerningthismost
importantmatter.Ifyougothroughthisbookcarefullytheveilofignorancewillberemoved.You
willbefreedfromthehorrorsofdeath.
TheoneaimofallYogaSadhanasistofacedeathfearlesslyandjoyfully.AYogioraSage
orevenarealaspiranthasnofearofdeath.DeathisterriblyafraidofthosewhodoJapa,meditation
and Kirtan. He and his messengers dare not approach them. Lord Krishna says in the
Bhagavad-Gita, “Having come to Me, these Mahatmas come not again to birth, the place of pain
andnon-eternity;theyhavegone tothehighestbliss”(ChapterVIII-15).
Deathispainfultoaworldlyman.Adesirelessmanneverweepswhenhedies.Afull-blown
Jnani never dies. His Prana never departs. Your highest duty is to prepare for a peaceful life
hereafter. Conquer the fear of death. Conquest of fear of death, conquest of death is the highest
utility of all Spiritual Sadhana. Pray to the Lord to enable you to worship Him in every birth of
yours.Endthecycleofbirthifyouwanteverlastingbliss.LiveintheeternalAtmanandbehappy
forever.
Bhishma had death at his command (Iccha-Mrityu). Savitri brought back Satyavan, her
husband, to life through her power of chastity. Markandeya conquered death through worship of
LordSiva.Youalsocanconquerdeaththroughdevotion,knowledgeandpowerofBrahmacharya.
PRAYER OF A DYING MAN
(IsavasyaUpanishad)
ehrNm:y:(cid:240)n: p:a*:(cid:240)N: s:ty:sy:aep:eht:(cid:246) m:(cid:216)K:m:˛ .
t:¶v:(cid:246) p:(cid:220)\:(cid:192)p:av:(cid:224)N:(cid:216) s:ty:D:m:a(cid:252)y: dƘy:(cid:240) ..
hiraımayena p(cid:224)treıa satyasy(cid:224)pihita(cid:252) mukham |
tattva(cid:252) p(cid:229)øannap(cid:224)v(cid:231)ıu satyadharm(cid:224)ya d(cid:231)øæaye ||
ThefaceofTruthiscoveredbyagoldenvessel.Remove,OSun,thecovering,forthelawof
theTruth,thatImaybeholdIt!
v
p:(cid:220)\:(cid:192)(cid:240)k\:(cid:240)(cid:252) y:m: s:(cid:220)y:(cid:252) )aj:ap:ty: vy:(cid:220)h rSm:ins:m:(cid:220)h .
t:(cid:240)j::(cid:240) y:¶:(cid:240) -p:(cid:246) kly:aN:t:m:(cid:246) t:¶:(cid:240) p:Sy:aem: y::(cid:240)|s:av:s::(cid:242) p:(cid:216),\:H s::(cid:240)|hm:esm: ..
p(cid:229)øannekarøe yama s(cid:229)rya pr(cid:224)j(cid:224)patya vy(cid:229)ha ra(cid:247)mªnsam(cid:229)ha |
tejo yatte r(cid:229)pa(cid:252) kaly(cid:224)ıatama(cid:252) tatte pa(cid:247)y(cid:224)mi yo.as(cid:224)vasau puruøa(cid:254)
so.ahamasmi ||
O Pushan (Sun, Nourisher), only Seer (sole traveller of the heavens), Controller of all
(Yama), Surya, son of Prajapati, disperse the rays and gather up Thy burning light. I behold Thy
gloriousform.IamHe,thePurusha withinThee!
v:ay:(cid:216)ren:l:m:m:(cid:224)t:m:T:(cid:240)d(cid:246) B:sm:ant:(cid:246) S:rirm:˛ .
! #t::(cid:240) sm:r kÆt:(cid:246) sm:r #t::(cid:240) sm:r kÆt:(cid:246) sm:r ..
v(cid:224)yuranilamam(cid:231)tamatheda(cid:252) bhasm(cid:224)nta(cid:252) (cid:247)arªram |
OM krato smara k(cid:231)ta(cid:252) smara krato smara k(cid:231)ta(cid:252) smara ||
(May my) Prana melt into the all-pervading Air, the eternal Sutratman, and may this body
be burnt by fire to ashes. OM! O mind! remember my deeds! O mind! remember, remember my
deeds!
Agn:(cid:240) n:y: s:(cid:216)p:T:a ry:(cid:240) Asm:an:˛ ev:ˆ:aen: d(cid:240)v: v:y:(cid:216)n:aen: ev:(cid:190)an:˛ .
y:(cid:216)y::(cid:240)Dy:sm:jj:(cid:216)h(cid:218)raN:m:(cid:240)n::(cid:240) B:(cid:220)ey:¯a(cid:246) t:(cid:240) n:m: ueVt:(cid:246) ev:D:(cid:240)m: ..
agne naya supath(cid:224) raye asm(cid:224)n vi(cid:247)v(cid:224)ni deva vayun(cid:224)ni vidv(cid:224)n |
yuyodhyasmajjuhur(cid:224)ıameno bh(cid:229)yiøæh(cid:224)(cid:252) te nama ukti(cid:252) vidhema ||
OAgni!leadusontowealth(Bliss,Mukti,Beatitude)byagoodpath,asThouknowest,O
god! all theways.Removethecrookedsinfromwithinus.WeofferTheeourbestsalutations!
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ODE TO DEATH
ODeath!O LordYama!Good-bye untoThee
ThouartadministeringthelawsofIsvara.
AllfallapreytoThee,
AllcomeintoThyjaws.
Thouarttime,
ThouartDharmaraja,
O!OmniscientKala(Time),
Thouartthedispenserofthe Law.
Thouartacquainted
Withthethreeperiodsoftime;
ThouonceinitiatedNachiketas
IntothemysteriesofAtmanorBrahma-Vidya.
IhavetranscendedTimeandDeath,
IamEternity.
Where isTimeinEternity?
Timeisamentalcreation.
Ihavetranscendedmind,
IamnotafraidofDeath.
IambeyondThyreachnow,
IbidTheefarewellnow.
IamgratefulforallThykindacts.
SalutationsuntoThee,OLordYama!
IwishtoattainVidehamuktinow,
IwillmergeintheSupremeSelf.
vii
WHAT IS REAL LIFE?
ToliveintheEternalAtman,
Totastethe blissoftheSoul.
Toworshipthe Lordatalltimes,
IsrealLife.
TodoJapaofLord’sName,
TosingHisgloryconstantly,
Toremember Himatalltimes,
IsrealLife.
Topractise Yama,Niyama,
Toservethepoorandthe sick,
Tohearthe Srutis,
IsrealLife.
Toreflectandmeditate,
Toservethe Guru,
To follow hisinstructions,
IsrealLife.
To realiseone’sownSelf,
To beholdtheoneSelf everywhere,
To attain Brahma-Jnana,
IsrealLife.
Tolivetoservehumanity,
Topractise self-restraint,
Tocontrolthemindandthesenses,
IsrealLife.
Topractise Pranayama,
Todo Brahma-Vichara,
Tostickto resolves,
IsrealLife.
Tolivein Om,
To chant Om,
Tomeditate on Om,
IsrealLife.
To ignorethenamesandforms,
To takethe essencehiddeninthem,
To drinkthenectarofImmortality,
IsrealLife.
viii
WHAT IS REAL DEATH?
NottostudytheGita,Upanishads,daily,
NottorememberGodatalltimes,
Nottoserve Sadhus andGurus,
Isrealdeath.
Nottohaveequalvision,
Nottohavebalancedmind,
Nottohave Atma-Drishti,
Isrealdeath.
Nottohave Brahma-Jnana,
Nottohavealargeheart,
Nottodo charitableacts,
Isrealdeath.
Toidentifyoneselfwiththe body,
Toforgetone’sdivine nature,
Toliveaimlessly,
Isrealdeath.
Toeat,drinkandbemerry,
Towastethe timeuselessly,
Toloseone’shonourandname,
Isrealdeath.
Togambleandplaycards,
Toreadnovels,drinkandsmoke,
Togossip,cavilandscandalise,
Isrealdeath.
Tobackbite,revile,carrytales,
Tospeakillofothers,
Tocheat,falsifyanddupe,
Isrealdeath.
Toearnmoneyunlawfully,
Tooutrage others’women,
Toinjureothers,
Isrealdeath.
Toleada sensuallife,
Towastevitalenergy,
Tohavealustfullook,
Isrealdeath.
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