The thoughts that prevail in the last moments of one’s life are crucial in deciding the nature and direction of the atma’s journey, says the Gita, echoing the thoughts of the scriptures. The Upanishads explain that the jivatma’s body is composed of such elements as vital breath, deeds, thought and the senses, and all these have their source in the Self. They have come out of the Self, and they ultimately disappear in the Self even as the waters of a river disappear in the sea. It is also explicitly stated that whatever may be the background of the jivatma, if the last thoughts are fixed on the Paramatma, one can attain Him. Normally, owing to many reasons, it may not be possible for one to have thoughts of God during the last moments. So, this is a reminder to each one to be prepared to confront the inevitable moment by focusing on God throughout one’s lifetime so that the transition becomes easy, pointed out Srimati Rukmini Ramamurthy in a discourse.
It is shown that a jnani is able to depart from this material world as a matter of fact for he has trained his mind to perceive God alone in all aspects of creation. He is guided by the vision that “Vasudeva is all.” Unlike a majority of jivatmas, a jnani does not fear the problems inhering in one’s embodied state, such as for instance, disease, old age and death. Being aware of the nature of life, the changes and ephemeral quality of it, he also realises the worthy aspects of life in that it is here one gets a chance to get freed from the cycle of birth.
Azhwars, acharyas and saints teach the jivatma to overcome the fear of death and the likely agony of the last moments by seeking solace in His grace that alone can guide one through the passage of death.
