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 narayanasmrti.
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.
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 letmy body be burnt to ashes, and let my pranavayu merge with the totality of air. Please remember all my sacrifices and all that I have done for You!”
In his commentary, Vedanta Deshika says, “The repetition of kratosmarakrtamsmara means that the devotee is urging the Lord to act quickly.” [because he’s dying]
Then acharyaDeshika quotes a wonderful verse to prove that the affectionate Lord, bhakta-vatsalaBhagavan 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.” VarahaPurana
tatas tam mriyamanamtu, kashthapashanasannibham
ahamsmarami mad-bhaktam, nayamiparamamgatim
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!
By Mahanidhi Swami