Burlingame, CA
I have no idea who ate half a squirrel and left the remains lying in my backyard garden this morning. A cat? A predatory bird? (I’ve seen both hanging around lately.)
In whatever way the squirrel was done in, I’m sure that he wasn’t expecting it. He was most likely heading back to his cozy nest in the tall Maple tree on the side of the house. He had probably just found a tasty nut to chew on.
And then suddenly death struck him unaware and he was forced to sacrifice his life. Certainly he resisted, struggling and twisting with all his might to free himself from the grip of his captor.
No use.
Ruminating on this massacre so close to home, I thought of this verse:
ahany ahani bhutani
gacchantiha yamalayam
sesah sthavaram icchanti
kim ascaryam atah param
“Hundreds and thousands of living entities meet death at every moment, but a foolish living being nonetheless thinks himself deathless and does not prepare for death. This is the most wonderful thing in this world. Everyone has to die because everyone is fully under the control of material nature, yet everyone thinks that he is independent, that whatever he likes he can do, that he will never meet death but live forever.” (Mahabharata, Vana-parva 313.116)
By the law of nature, everyone in the material world must sooner or later forfeit, not only his body, but also his hard-earned wealth and possessions. People lose their money everyday in business, gambling, or intoxication; and in the end, they give up their material bodies. Since everyone is forced to make these sacrifices, there’s not the slightest glory or profit in them.
However, one need not die hapless (like my squirrel).
By their example, great souls like Bali Maharaja, Dadhici and Sibi have showed us the solution to this predicament:
Voluntarily give your, life, wealth and body for a higher cause before being forced to do so. One who does this is called a benevolent and merciful person and is adored all over the world for generations to come.
Om Tat Sat
Vaisesika Dasa
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