The Enigma of Life and Death

  •   Mon, Jul 20 2020
  •   By S Vallikannaa

July 20, 2020

With the pandemic spreading its wings far and wide and monstrously killing tens and thousands of people in the world, my mind couldn’t stop wondering about the enigma of “Life “and “Death”.

I had read somewhere that “Death” is not the end of “Life”, but “Death” is an inevitable part of Life”. I couldn’t agree more……especially so when any of our near and dear ones bid adieu unexpectedly to us and to this mortal world, forever.

Words won’t suffice to heal the pain or console the heart that mourns the death of a loved one. Only time can heal this unfathomable wound. Every time I hear about the demise of any of my family members or friends, I always remember the Buddhist parable, which my mother once told me.

It is- “The Parable of the Mustard Seed”, where a young mother loses her little son and goes from house to house with her dead child with the hope that someone would have medicine for it. Finally, she meets Buddha, who says that he can give life to her son only if she brings some mustard seeds. But, she should get it from a house where no one has died. The young woman goes to almost all the houses in the village but doesn’t find a single house or a family that hasn’t been touched by “Death”. She then realizes that nothing in this world is permanent and accepts the loss of her son.

So, when “Death” comes thieving into our lives, our families and catches us off guard, all we should do is accept it. I know that it’s easier said than done. The more we resist this loss and grief, the more painful and never-ending it will be. Leave the agony to the great medic called “Time”.

A few lines that just spilled out from my mind on this “unforeseen horizon”

The Unforeseen Horizon
We never know if we have reached the life's horizon
It keeps differing from person to person
Some arrive at the edge unexpectedly
Others reach there unknowingly, accidentally or way too quickly

And those who are tired of life's parody
Might want to reach it quite early
Or the people who want to live life the fullest
Would wish to push the border the farthest

The ones in their ailing autumn days
Might want to be there with no more delays
All of us ought to reach our margin someday
What lies beyond it, no one can say

A smooth sail till the end is all we need to pray
An attempt to cease or shove the unforeseen horizon is forlorn
For life stealthily drives us towards it from the moment we are born.

Well…..we all have to reach that horizon someday……But, until then let’s not measure life by years, instead, let’s live life deeply and thoughtfully.

 

Image source: unsplash.com

 
By S Vallikannaa
S Vallikannaa is an English teacher in a private school in Bengaluru. She is a B Com graduate, but later she found out her strength is in teaching. She started her teaching journey from playschool, so her qualifications include – Montessori, Nursery Teachers Training, B.Ed, and MA in English Literature.
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Comment on this article

  • Siddartha dn, Bangalore

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    Its really good

  • John, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    Hope beyond the scope... Soon...

    Rev 21:4 There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away...

    Book of Revelation Chapter 21.

    A New Heaven and a New Earth

    21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

    5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

    6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”...

  • John, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away...

    Book of Revelation Chapter 21.

    A New Heaven and a New Earth

    21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

    5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

    6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”...

  • Ravindra Bhat, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    Hi Kanna,
    You have sensed the essence of life which is depicted in your article. I have seen you since your childhood and it makes me happy to see you have bloomed full afterall that you have undergone. Keep writing. Good done unto others in whatever way pays. God bless you Dear.

  • Shyamala, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    Hi Kanna,
    I have seen u since a child n now am happy to see u have blossomed like this with lot if maturity.
    U have indeed sensed and understood life after all that u may have undergone. God bless you dear.

  • Joe Britto, Nakre/Bangalore

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    So meaningful indeed. Thanks Vallikannaa

  • Geeta, Mumbai

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    Hi Valli. Beautifully articulated piece of article. Well written. Death is inevitable. It is the perception of life which helps you live Life the fullest.

  • Asmita Roy chowdhury, Bangalore

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    Valli, its indeed a treat to the eyes and truly your writing grasped my eyeball till the engaging climax....
    The poem is extremely enthralling ...keep writing and soar higher and higher in life...All the best !

    Love
    Asmita

  • Pearl DSa, Texas, USA

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    Way to go, ValliK! So proud of you! 👍🏼😊

  • Geeta, Mumbai

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    Hi Valli, beautiful articulated perception of life and death. Well written. Death is inevitable. Live life to the fullest. God bless

  • Jyothi D, BENGALURU

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    Valli, enjoyed reading your article and poem. A lovely read indeed. Would love to read more ....

  • Grishin D'Souza, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    Happy to to know that you are a good writer. Beautiful article. Write more articles and share your thoughts were people can relate to what you say. Wish you good luck. God bless you.

  • Reena, Mangalore/Melbourne, Australia

    Tue, Jul 21 2020

    Hey Vallikanna,
    Well done!
    Nice to see your article published here on Daijiworld.Keep writing.
    Cheers,
    Reena.


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