We have a concept about evolution. So also there should be a concept about dissolution. Srishti-Sthithy-Samharam (Evolution-Existence-Dissolution) are associated with prapancham. Philosophers discuss whether there is a creator who has created or prapancham is a self-creation or it is only a myth-appearance like mirage or it is a manifestation like sparks from fire. What is the base – aadharam – for this so called expression/manifestation/appearance? After creation who is sustaining it?Another set of philosophers say that there is neither a creator nor creation; It is creativity. All these are speculations.
The truth remains that we exist and hence prapancham exist. Awareness (bodham) of our existence is the truth and this Awareness is only seen as prapancham outside. Even with the disappearance (death) of the individual ‘I’ or prapancham. Awareness (Akandabodham) would exist as the one and only Truth without a second.
We may take the analogy of ocean to explain this point in simple terms. (the analogy should not be stretched beyond a point). Water form the ocean and ocean expresses as waves on the surface. We can imagine ocean without waves; but neither ocean nor waves can be thought of without the existence of water. Water is the ultimate reality. Awareness is the only truth and the prapancham as creativity is an appearance in Awareness like ocean and waves – an appearance in water.
Awareness is otherwise termed as Brahmam on which prapancham appears as vivartham. The term Jagat is explained as ‘jayathy; gachathy; eva ithi, meaning evolution; dissolution and in between as if jagat exists.
From the relative stand point – vyavahariha satyam – we may briefly analyse the evolution process. Maya,constituent of the three gunas, is the first screen created between us and Brahman.Maya reflects Brahman as Iswara. From tamoguna of Maya, 5 elements, 5 tanmatras, 5 karmendriyas, 5 gnanendriyas, 5 pranas, anthakaranam consisting manas, buddhi, chittam and ahamkaram, evolved. So also 14 lokas (spheres) and the physical structure (with 25 tatwas) are formed after mixing of elements known as pancheekaranam. This is the evolution process conceived by us. In this evolution, Brahman shines as Iswara and atmachaitanya is the life giver, without which prapancham as well as individual structure is only a jadam. When chaitanya kindles the anthakaranam, it is known as jeeva.
In the dissolution, the reverse process takes place. The physical structure enters the elements, anthakaranam, indriyas and pranas enter the respective gunas in maya and jeeva merges with chaitanyam. Elements, gunas and their creator maya ultimately merge with the source.
From this angle if we perceive death, it is nothing but dissolution of the physical structuire and the jeeva merging with the source.The evolution and dissolution whether we imagine the same as relatively true or imaginatively true (vyavahariha or praathibasika satta), ultimately ends with the Absolute Truth (Paramarthika) call it by any name, Awareness, Reality or Brahman.
Dissolutiuon of prapancham is termed as pralayam and dissolution of the individual is termed as death. So far as the dead is concerned it is pralayam only although in the eyes of those still living, it is viewed as death. For that matter even our sleep can be termed as a shadow of pralayam for a shortest duration with continuity.
Our intellect has the faculty to do vicharam on this aspect and to face death philosphically. Death of death happens on the realisation of the ultimate Reality apart from which there is no separate existence.Death is nothing other than dissolution of elements. In death the jeeva gets freedom from the body cage. The individual who is dead does not know that he is dead and gone. (A man entering the dream stage and thereafter deep sleep is not aware that he has entered into those stages from waking)Cant we welcome death as we welcome sleep if only we have the concept of rebirth. We must contemplate that the Ultimate which has given us birth,will absorb us. It is better to remember that death is over our head like Democles sword. The causes of death are many. Think over ‘who is causing it?’ We are concerned with the death of humn beings only. How many other lives die each day! Mass death happens consequnt on flood, earthquacks, fire and other diasters caused by elements. When death happens in a neighbours house or to unknown persons, however tragic the death might be, we take it as an incident. When it happens to our kith and kin, we feel it and experience it. We are afraid of death as we grow old. More suffering is caused by the fear of death than by death itself because dead man is no more there to experience and convey the fear.The game of desires and consequent action and reaction with likes and dislikes and the feeling of individual ‘I’ vanish with death. According to Hindu concepts , vasanas still linger to prepare for another game.Life eternal is imprisoned in the body and every death is the release of life on parole to come back to the prison- body on rebirth. We are afraid of death because of too much of attachment to our body and the world around us.In this age of fast-food we desire everything to happen fast except death!
One pill remedy for all these fear and anxieties. Have faith in God. Think of God constantly. Believe that everything happens as it should and not as we wish. With this wisdom knowledge we shall have PEACE. Shanthy, Shanthy, Shanty!
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