Death is Life’s Unavoidable Conclusion

अथ चैनं नित्यजातं नित्यं वा मन्यसे मृतम् |

तथापि त्वं महाबाहो नैवं शोचितुमर्हसि || 2.26||

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च |

तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि || 2.27||

Meaning of the Shloka: Even if you believe that the Absolute Self takes birth and experiences death, you still should not grieve for anything. That’s because death is certain for anything that has been born, and rebirth is certain after death. (Bhagvad Gita 2.26-27)

Context: The wisdom here is a continuation of the previous chapter.

Krishna points out the inescapable, natural cycle of creation and destruction. No matter how you look at it, you have to admit that it is a universal law that everyone and everything must follow.

Therefore, being detached from material possessions or entities, wishing they’d exist here forever, is futile. In practice, it’s pivotal to remember that duties are supreme and any kind of material sacrifice is justified for them.

Embrace your mortality

One of the primary reasons we suffer is because of wishful thinking. We desperately hope that our circumstances and capabilities were different than what they are. The underlying cause for this is our attachment to things and people.

However, once we realize that everything in the material universe is transient, the daydreaming shatters. The objects that once enticed us can no longer distract us from our righteous paths.

And it all begins with the realization of our inevitable demise.

When we acknowledge the fact that our days are numbered, we stop fretting about the petty things in life. The longing desire for a bigger house, a more luxurious lifestyle, and attractive partners starts to fade away.

Instead, the focus shifts to what’s truly important — the duty at the moment. Whether it is as mundane as making your bed or as tedious as cleaning your house, regardless of the material reward, daily prescribed tasks start appearing more meaningful.

Just like yourself, your objects of pleasure are temporary too. Similarly, your thirst to accrue those entities to experience those feelings is fleeting. So, why bother? Why not do something truly important and meaningful?

Accepting death makes you unstoppable

After embracing the fact that you are not in this world for a long time, you will value long-term goals in life over short-term sensory gratification.

Making daily sacrifices, such as saying no to sugar, studying an extra hour, and waking up early to exercise, will become easier. In each of those uncomfortable moments, you will realize that the discomfort is fleeting while the gains it will lead to will last much longer.

Such sacrifices emerge from a strong sense of dutifulness and the eternal truth. Over time, they will build you a legacy that will last generations. 

This transition takes time. First, there will be nihilism, where you will see meaninglessness in everything. Then, your brain will propose — if death is the endgame, why not live it up?

That's where your progress will begin. 

Instead of seeking solace in doing nothing, you will discover inner peace in challenging yourself to grow past your perceived ceiling. The pain and difficulties on the way will appear timid because you know that they are fleeting, just like the body that will experience them.

Wrapping up: This too shall pass

Confronting your mortality to accept it as a part of life, albeit the final phase, isn’t easy or straightforward. As I mentioned, you will go through various mental states before attaining the unstoppable “keep pushing” perspective.

At the same time, you need to remind yourself that self-improvement is a journey, and we all start from somewhere.

For a lot of us, we begin by adoring and looking up to material pleasure and comfort. We aim to accrue as much of it as possible. Then, life wakes us up. Despite accruing enough material to live comfortably, we still lack peace. 

After a while, the truth becomes apparent. The real objective in life is not to collect tiaras and trinkets, for they are fleeting. It is to understand the eternal truth of the multiverse and embody it in thoughts, speech, and action.

Until then, trust the process. Stay in the present and focus on the next task.

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Next Chapter: Existence or Life is a Transitory State

Previous Chapter: The Absolute Self is Constant, But Its Manifestations Are Temporary

Index (with Prologue): Krishna Said That: Prologue