Remember Me

Mahanidhi Swami

The final moment, Death, waits for all, patiently counting day by day. Sastras advise us to remember Narayana or Krishna at the time of death and thereby gain liberation from the samsara. Calling out Bhagavan’s Holy Name as Ajamila did saying, “Narayana!” is the best way to remember God at the end, ante narayana smrti.  

But what is the fate of a devotee who does not or cannot chant, and just dies while sleeping, in a coma, or who quietly breathes his last surrounded by well-wishers? Through memory a dying person can also attain perfection. In Gita 8.6, Sri Krishna says that the mood or bhava you are always cherishing in your mind and heart at death determines your future position. 

yaà yaà väpi smaran bhävaà, tyajaty ante kalevaram
taà tam evaiti kaunteya, sadä tad-bhäva-bhävita

One of the last verses of the Ishopanisad (17) describes the moment of death, wherein the pious one cries out to God, “Om! O my Lord! Now let my body be burnt to ashes, and let my prana vayu merge with the totality of air. Please remember all my sacrifices and all that I have done for You!”

väyur anilam amåtam, athedaà bhasmäntaà çaréram
oà krato smara kåtaà smara,  krato smara kåtaà smara (17)

In his commentary, Vedanta Deshika says, “The repetition of krato smara krtam smara means that the devotee is urging the Lord to act quickly.” [because he’s dying]

Then acharya Deshika quotes a wonderful verse to prove that the affectionate Lord, bhakta-vatsala Bhagavan Sri Krishna, never forsakes his dear devotee, no matter in what condition he leaves his body.

Lord Vishnu said, “I remember My devotee, who is dying like wood or stone [meaning senseless or without thoughts at that time], and take him to the spiritual world.” Varaha Purana

tatas tam mriyamanam tu,  kashtha pashana sannibham
aham smarami mad-bhaktam, nayami paramam gatim

May these wise words solace the hearts of all, and encourage everyone to love Sri Krishna fully, confident that the Lord will be there at that last moment.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!