Man Goes And Becomes One With That Very Being On Whom He Rests His Thoughts At Death – Hinduism Teaching
The Hindu Concept of Transmigration: Becoming One with the Object of Final Thoughts
Hinduism, one of the world's oldest and most complex
religious traditions, offers a profound and multifaceted understanding of life,
death, and the journey of the soul. One of its core teachings is encapsulated
in the idea that "Man goes and becomes one with that very being on whom he
rests his thoughts at death." This concept, deeply rooted in the Bhagavad
Gita and other Hindu scriptures, suggests that the thoughts and intentions at
the moment of death have a significant impact on the soul's destiny.
The Philosophy Behind Final Thoughts
In Hindu philosophy, the mind and consciousness are believed
to have a powerful influence on the soul's journey. The Bhagavad Gita, a
central text in Hinduism, states in Chapter 8, Verse 6: "Whatever state of
being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without
fail." This teaching underscores the importance of one's final thoughts,
as they shape the soul's trajectory after death.
This belief is grounded in the broader Hindu concept of
karma and samsara. Karma refers to the actions and their ethical consequences,
which accumulate over lifetimes and influence future rebirths. Samsara is the
cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, which the soul undergoes until it attains
moksha, or liberation. The state of mind at the time of death is seen as a
culmination of one's lifetime of actions and thoughts, and it determines the
immediate next stage of the soul's journey.
The Role of Meditation and Devotion
Hindu practices often emphasize the importance of
meditation, devotion (bhakti), and righteous living (dharma) as means to
cultivate a serene and focused mind. By regularly engaging in these practices,
individuals can train their minds to remain peaceful and concentrated on higher
truths, even in the face of death.
In particular, the concept of bhakti, or devotion to a
personal deity, plays a crucial role. Devotees believe that by constantly
remembering and meditating on their chosen deity, they can ensure that their
final thoughts will be aligned with the divine. This alignment is believed to
result in the soul attaining a state of union with that deity after death, thus
escaping the cycle of samsara and achieving liberation.
Scriptural Examples and Stories
The Hindu scriptures are replete with stories and examples
that illustrate this teaching. One such example is the story of King Bharata
from the Bhagavata Purana. King Bharata, who was deeply attached to a deer he
had rescued, thought of the deer at the moment of his death. As a result, he
was reborn as a deer in his next life, demonstrating the profound impact of
one's final thoughts.
Another example is found in the Mahabharata, where the great
warrior Bhishma, lying on his deathbed of arrows, chose to meditate on Krishna.
Despite his suffering, Bhishma's focus on Krishna at the moment of death
ensured his liberation, highlighting the power of divine remembrance.
Practical Implications
For practitioners of Hinduism, this teaching has practical
implications. It encourages individuals to lead lives of mindfulness and
spiritual awareness, ensuring that their thoughts remain pure and focused on
higher truths. The regular practice of yoga, meditation, and devotional rituals
are seen as essential in cultivating a mind that remains calm and focused, even
in the face of death.
This teaching also offers comfort and guidance to those
nearing the end of their lives, suggesting that by focusing their thoughts on
the divine, they can influence their soul's journey positively. It reassures
believers that death is not an end but a transition, with the potential for
union with the divine.
The Hindu teaching that "man goes and becomes one with that very being on whom he rests his thoughts at death" encapsulates a profound understanding of the power of the mind and the spiritual journey of the soul. It underscores the importance of cultivating a life of spiritual awareness, meditation, and devotion. By aligning their final thoughts with the divine, individuals can transcend the cycle of birth and death, achieving union with the ultimate reality. This teaching not only guides the living on how to prepare for death but also offers a pathway to eternal peace and liberation.