Acharya Mahashraman
A beautiful saying in Jain agam goes:
'amarayai mahasaddhi'.
A person who has the aspirations for sensual desires and wealth lives like he is immortal. A person, who is restless for having the materialistic objects and its resources like money and is not aware of its results, feels distress. Two reasons make a person distressful - The first is aspiration for sensual desires because of not getting them and the second is caused by destruction of those things.
There are some people who are always in desire for wealth, house, relations, and more material things. They live their lives as if they will be in this world forever and never going to die. It's like they have no idea of death.
There is a story of a prostitute named Magadhasena in the town of Rajgrih. A businessman having great wealth happened to pass through a town. Magadhasena was enamoured by his appearances, youth, and wealth so much that she was emotionally moved to visit his place. When she arrived, he was very busy in resolving matters of his business accounts. So he didn't even notice Magadhasena. His not noticing bruised her ego and she got upset. The emperor of Magadh, Jarasandh asked her, 'Why are you sad?' She said, "because of my wasted visit to that immortal man." "Who is immortal?" asked the emperor. She replied, "Dhan Sarthwah (businessman) is busy with his wealth only. If he did not even notice my presence, then how would he be aware of his death?" It's true that greedy man does not think of death and the person, who is aware of his death, cannot be covetous.
Man should understand the fact that no one is immortal in this world. Every single man loses his life one day and then death rules over his life. The thought of death and transitioning into the next life creates the feeling of staying away from making sin.
A young man visited a saint and said, "O Saint! I came to know that you are a great ascetic and very calm. You never become angry. I don't believe this at all. A human being does not get angry- this is impossible." The ascetic replied, "It's your wish whether you believe or not." The man replied, "Prove to me that you never get angry." After a short conversation saint said, "Oh! What are you saying? You are going to die within seven days." The fellow was taken aback to hear of his impending death. Immediately after concluding the conversation, he went back to his home. The one thought kept him bothering was 'death after seven days'. He lay down on his bed and started praying to God. One, two, three... and six days passed by with the continuous prayer. On the seventh day, the saint came to his house and saw him lying on the bed and praying to God. As the man saw the saint, asked instantly, "O Saint! Today is the seventh day. Now how much time is left in my death?" Saint responded, "My son! You are not going to die today." Rapidly he stood up the moment he heard that he was not going to die. He put a smile on his face and said, "Mahatma! You said that I would die in seven days. Then how is my death postponed?" The saint replied, "My son! I meant that there are seven days, Sunday through Saturday and of course you will die on one of these seven days." The context was completely changed. The Saint asked to the young, "Tell me! How were your seven days? Did you ever get angry? Did you feel the ego?" The man replied, "Mahatma! Who would get angry? The death was swinging before me day and night. Within these seven days not only I did not get angry, but I did not feel ego, crookedness, and greed too. I felt nothing." Verifying himself the saint continued, "Now you see. Similarly, at every moment, I see my death. Then how can I get angry?"
Now the young man was ready to believe that every man can get rid of anger, but it needs practice. It requires an awakening of consciousness. Death is a fact. It controls the life. The mortality or non-eternity of this world should always be in the mind. In Jain literature, there is the description of twelve bhavana (contemplations). Anitya (transience) and asharna (devoid of support) is a couple of examples of bhavana. The continuous contemplation of transience can lead a person towards liberation. The emotion of worldly attachment can be reduced. Therefore, man should understand these contemplations. Buddha philosophy places emphasis on "sarvam kshanikam"-everything is momentary. This concept of momentariness also inspires a man for detachment.
None is immortal in this world. Everyone will have to depart one day from this world. In spite of knowing this truth man lives as though, he is immortal. We have visited many villages, cities and towns, but we have never found a single immortal man. But yes many people can be called by the name of Amar (immortal), for example, Amarchand, Amarkumar, and Amarnath etc. Deities are also called 'Amar' (immortal). They do have a long life, but it all ends. Deities who are being known as the immortal also get to die. In this world only 'the soul' is immortal and eternal. Man should be aware of his soul; should do meditation of supreme power and should suggest himself that the supreme qualities are developing within him. He who contemplates and implements such thoughts can attain a state of immortality or supreme self (parmatma).
