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Duty of a person who is going to die

Expressions researched:
"duty of a dying man" |"duty of a person who is going to die"

Srimad-Bhagavatam

SB Canto 1

Out of the two, the question relating to the dying man is most important because everyone is a dying man, either very shortly or after one hundred years. The duration of life is immaterial, but the duty of a dying man is very important
SB 1.19.24, Tanslation and Purport: O trustworthy brahmanas, I now ask you about my immediate duty. Please, after proper deliberation, tell me of the unalloyed duty of everyone in all circumstances, and specifically of those who are just about to die. In this verse the King has placed two questions before the learned sages. The first question is what is the duty of everyone in all circumstances, and the second question is what is the specific duty of one who is to die very shortly. Out of the two, the question relating to the dying man is most important because everyone is a dying man, either very shortly or after one hundred years. The duration of life is immaterial, but the duty of a dying man is very important. Maharaja Pariksit placed these two questions before Sukadeva Gosvami also on his arrival, and practically the whole of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, beginning from the Second Canto up to the last Twelfth Canto, deals with these two questions. The conclusion arrived at thereof is that devotional service of the Lord Sri Krsna, as it is confirmed by the Lord Himself in the last phases of the Bhagavad-gita, is the last word in relation to everyone's permanent duty in life. Maharaja Pariksit was already aware of this fact, but he wanted the great sages assembled there to unanimously give their verdict on his conviction so that he might be able to go on with his confirmed duty without controversy. He has especially mentioned the word suddha, or perfectly correct. For transcendental realization or self-realization, many processes are recommended by various classes of philosophers. Some of them are first-class methods, and some of them are second- or third-class methods. The first-class method demands that one give up all other methods and surrender unto the lotus feet of the Lord and thus be saved from all sins and their reactions.

Lectures

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Śukadeva Gosvāmī, śrī-śuka uvāca. Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the accepted spiritual master of King Parīkṣit, is replying to his inquiry, "What is the duty of a person who is going to die?
Lecture on SB 2.1.1-5 -- Melbourne, June 26, 1974: Sukadeva Gosvami, sri-suka uvaca. Sukadeva Gosvami, the accepted spiritual master of King Pariksit, is replying to his inquiry, "What is the duty of a person who is going to die?" Pariksit Maharaja was going to die within seven days. He was cursed by a brahmana boy to die within seven days. The reason is that the king was in the forest, engaged in hunting, and when he became tired he went to the cottage of a sage and asked him for water. But the sage was absorbed in meditation, could not hear him, so Pariksit Maharaja, being thirsty, became angry, and there was a dead snake. So he, out of negligence, he took the dead snake and wrapped over the neck of the meditating sage. This news was spread and his son, twelve years old only, he heard that his father was insulted. So immediately he cursed that this snake would bit him within seven days. So this news was brought, although the father, after his meditation was over, he was very..., he was sorry that such a great king has been cursed. So he was very, very sorry, but what can be done? The brahmana boy's curse must be effective. That because in those days brahmanas, even by caste, was very, very strong in spiritual strength. So when Pariksit Maharaja was informed that he was to die within seven days, he accepted the curse: "Yes, I was wrong to insult the sage." Otherwise, he could counteract. He was also very powerful. But he did not. So this is the history.
Page Title:Duty of a person who is going to die
Compiler:Syamananda, Visnu Murti
Created:6march08,
No. of Quotes:2
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=2, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=0