We are like the small dew drops on the tips of blades of grass. The moment the sun is up, the dew drop evaporates. And so does our life begin and end. And yet, in that short span of time, we are motivated by greed. While we are in this mood to acquire things and to enjoy all the pleasures of life, we do not contemplate on God, said Panasai Aruna, in a discourse. But God alone will be our constant companion. All those people who benefit from our labours will forget us soon.
When a man is in the last stages of his life, he experiences fear. He can almost see the God of Death, Yama there, astride his bull. Now if the man were to ask all his relatives who are gathered by his side to accompany him on his last journey, will any of them be willing to? None, not even his wife or children, will be willing to accompany him, or help him overcome his fear of death.
But if a man seeks gnana, while he is young and strong, he will not fear death, when it comes. Gnana is not easy to obtain, but bhakti towards God will endow us with gnana eventually. Saints have all advised us to be virtuous, and have warned us about the weaknesses of mankind. Saint Thirunavukkarasar, in a verse, compares himself to a worm. He says there is not much difference between a worm and man. Both are born, procreate and die. But there is one important difference. The worm has no malice, but man has that vice. So we should check ourselves in time, get rid of bad qualities, and turn our thoughts towards God.
