In the Mahabharata, there’s a famous exchange between Yudhishthira Maharaja, the wise king of the Pandavas, and a mystical being called the Yaksha. The Yaksha challenges Yudhishthira with a series of profound questions about life and existence. One of these questions is:
“What is the most amazing thing in this world?”
Yudhishthira’s answer is simple yet deeply profound:
“Ahani ahani bhutani gacchantiha yamalayam,
Sheshaḥ sthiratvam icchanti, kim āścaryam ataḥ param.”
“Day after day, countless living beings die and enter the abode of death. Yet those who remain believe they will live forever. What could be more amazing than this?”
What Does This Mean?
Yudhishthira is pointing out a universal truth: we all know that death is inevitable. Every day, we see people around us growing old, getting sick, and passing away. Yet, most of us live as though it will never happen to us. We plan for the future as if we have an unlimited supply of time and rarely pause to consider that our time here is finite.
Why Do We Avoid Thinking About Death?
This tendency comes from a deeper spiritual reality. The Vedas teach that we are eternal souls (atma) temporarily living in these bodies. Because the soul is eternal, we naturally resist the idea of our own mortality. However, due to maya (illusion), we falsely identify with the body and forget our true nature. This forgetfulness makes us cling to the temporary and avoid uncomfortable truths like death.
How Does This Relate to the Hare Krishna Philosophy?
- Life Is Temporary: The material world is described as dukhalayam ashashvatam—a place of suffering and impermanence. Everything here, including our bodies, is subject to change and destruction.
- Death as a Reminder: Death is not meant to frighten us but to remind us of life’s purpose: self-realization. Recognizing that time is limited inspires us to focus on our eternal nature and our relationship with Krishna.
- The Eternal Soul: Krishna explains in the Bhagavad Gita (2.20):
“For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. It does not come into being, nor does it cease to be. The soul is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain.”
While the body is temporary, the soul is eternal and meant to return to Krishna’s eternal abode.
A Simple Analogy
Imagine you’re at an airport. You see flights taking off one after another. You know that eventually, your flight will be called too. Yet, instead of preparing for it—packing your bags or getting your ticket—you decide to lounge around, pretending your flight won’t leave.
This is how we often live: we see others “boarding” (dying), but we act as though we’ll stay in the “airport” (life) forever. The wise person uses the time to prepare for the inevitable journey.
Practical Lessons
- Value Time: Every moment is a gift. Instead of wasting it on temporary distractions, we can invest it in spiritual practices, relationships, and meaningful pursuits.
- Self-Realization Is the Goal: The human form of life is rare and precious. It’s a chance to ask deeper questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What is my ultimate purpose?
- Chant and Remember Krishna: The Hare Krishna mantra—Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—is a simple and powerful way to connect with Krishna and prepare for life’s ultimate journey.
What Can We Learn from Yudhishthira’s Answer?
The most amazing thing is not just that we forget about death, but that we waste our precious time on things that don’t truly matter. By remembering that life is temporary, we can live with greater intention, purpose, and gratitude.
Instead of fearing death, we can use it as a guide to live fully and spiritually, preparing ourselves to return to Krishna’s eternal world, where there is no death, no ageing, and no suffering—only bliss and love.
