Mrutyu Chintan

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Mrutyu Chintan" by P. M. Choradia:

Book Title: Mrutyu Chintan (Reflection on Death) Author: P. M. Choradia Publisher: Akhil Bhartiya Jain Vidvat Parishad

This book, "Mrutyu Chintan," is a thoughtful exploration of death from a Jain perspective, aiming to demystify the concept and encourage a more positive and prepared approach to it. The author, P. M. Choradia, a Chartered Accountant and senior spiritual seeker from Madras, presents death not as an end, but as a natural transition and a crucial aspect of life that deserves contemplation.

Key Themes and Concepts:

• Death as a Natural Transition: The book begins by defining death as the separation of the soul (Jivatma) from the body. It emphasizes that death is not an end to life but rather the end of a particular personality's development. Death is likened to a "great sleep" (maha nidra), a prolonged period of rest after a lifetime of exertion.
• Life's Summary and Conclusion: Death is presented as the culmination and summary of one's life. Just as a merchant reviews their year-end accounts to assess profit or loss, death serves as a time to evaluate the dharma-filled or sinful aspects of one's life, the virtues developed, and services rendered to religion, society, and country.
• Overcoming the Fear of Death: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to addressing the fear of death, which is identified as a major impediment to spiritual and personal growth. The author outlines seven fears mentioned in scriptures: fear of the world, afterlife, livelihood, protection, reputation, sudden events, and death itself. Death fear is considered the most potent, as all other fears often culminate at the time of death.
• Strategies to Conquer Fear: The book suggests that the best way to overcome fear is through knowledge and understanding. By thoroughly understanding the nature of death and the impermanence of the physical body, one can dispel this fear. The body, being composed of five elements, will eventually return to those elements, and there is no reason to fear it.
• Confronting Death with Courage: Instead of fearing death, the author advocates for confronting it with courage and preparedness. Just as one fights an enemy after understanding their strengths, one should face death by being aware and prepared. This requires constant remembrance of death to live a righteous life.
• The Goal of Liberation (Nirvana): Death is also linked to the concept of "Nirvana," which signifies the ignition of eternal life. To achieve this, one must forget the self, transcend personal desires, selfishness, and greed.
• The Nature of the Soul: The book reinforces the Jain belief in the soul's immortality. Quoting from various scriptures, including the Guru Granth Sahib and the Bhagavad Gita, it emphasizes that the soul is eternal, unchanging, and merely changes bodies like one changes clothes. Therefore, mourning over the physical body's demise is deemed inappropriate.
• "Pandit Maran" (Wise Death) and "Samadhi Maran": The text highlights the importance of "Pandit Maran" or "Samadhi Maran" (death with equanimity and spiritual contemplation). This involves renouncing attachments, engaging in self-reflection, and preparing for death with full awareness. The ideal is to approach death with a calm and detached mindset.
• Types of Death:
  • Bal Maran (Childish Death): This refers to dying without preparation, without practicing dharma, filled with regret, sorrow, and agitation. It is characterized by attachment to worldly pleasures, immense desires, and a lack of righteous actions. The book lists twelve ways this can occur, including dying from hunger, thirst, injury, falling, burning, poisoning, drowning, suicide, and falling prey to animals, among others.
  • Pandit Maran (Wise Death): This is the death of a knowledgeable and prepared soul who accepts death as a friend. This type of death is characterized by equanimity, detachment, and a focus on spiritual liberation. Five types of Pandit Maran are described: Padopagaman, Bhakta Pratyyakhyan (Santhara/Sanlekhana), Ingini Maran, Kevali Maran (death after attaining Keval Gyan), and Chaddmastha Maran (death before attaining Keval Gyan).
• Death as a "Maha Utsav" (Great Festival): When death is met with equanimity and preparedness, it transforms into a "Maha Utsav." This is exemplified by the lives and deaths of great souls like Lord Mahavir, who was revered even in his passing. The book draws parallels with the celebrations of Tirthankaras' Nirvana days as "Nirvana Kalyanak."
• The Role of Family and Friends: The book emphasizes the responsibility of family and friends during a person's final moments. Instead of causing further distress, they should offer support, encouragement, and create an environment conducive to spiritual contemplation.
• Critique of Harmful Traditions: The book critically examines and condemns certain social practices observed during death, such as:
  • Wife's confinement: Forcing the widow to sit in a closed room for extended periods.
  • "Palla Pratha": Loud, exaggerated wailing to attract attention from neighbors and relatives.
  • Death Feasts (Mrityu Bhoj): The practice of hosting lavish feasts for hundreds of people after a death, which often burdens poor families with debt.
  • Sati Pratha: The practice of a wife immolating herself on her husband's pyre, which is strongly condemned as a form of "Bal Maran."
• Living with Awareness: The core message is to live life with constant awareness of death. This awareness helps in living a righteous life, performing good deeds, and not procrastinating spiritual practices. The author uses the analogy of a student preparing for an exam to illustrate the importance of preparation for death.
• Inspiration from Great Souls: The book cites examples of various spiritual and historical figures like Buddha, Ravindranath Tagore, Albert Schweitzer, Sant Kabir, Sant Dadu, Tukaram Maharaj, Lokmanya Tilak, Plato, Socrates, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Mahatma Gandhi, and Vinoba Bhave, highlighting their philosophical approaches to death and their calm acceptance of it. The story of Muni Gajasukumar's death is also recounted as an example of attaining enlightenment through extreme suffering with equanimity.
• The Essence of a Meaningful Life: The book concludes by urging readers to contemplate death, not as a somber event, but as a catalyst for living a meaningful, virtuous, and prepared life. By embracing equanimity and shedding attachments, one can transform the experience of death into one of peace and spiritual fulfillment, ultimately leading to the ultimate joy of liberation.

In essence, "Mrutyu Chintan" serves as a guide to understanding and preparing for death from a Jain perspective, promoting a life of purpose, spiritual awareness, and acceptance.