Dying an Easy Death

Mahamrutyunjaya Mantra

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्

उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात् ॥

Om Try-Ambakam Yajaamahe Sugandhim Pusstti-Vardhanam
Urvaarukam-Iva Bandhanaan Mrtyor-Mukssiiya Maa-[A]mrtaat ||

Meaning:
Om, We Worship the Three-Eyed One (Lord Shiva), Who is Fragrant (Spiritual Essence) and Who Nourishes all beings.

May He severe our Bondage of Samsara (Worldly Life), like a Cucumber (severed from the bondage of its Creeper), ... and thus Liberate us from the Fear of Death, by making us realize that we are never separated from our Immortal Nature.

HH Sri Kanchi Mahaswamigal gave the following sloka together with the Mahamrutyunjaya mantra as upadesa to be chanted daily to a devotee who asked for a painless and peaceful death.

अनायासेन मरणं विनादैन्येन जीवनं ।

देहि मे कृपया शम्भो त्वयि भक्तिं अचन्चलं ॥

அநாயாசேன மரணம் விநாதைன்யேன ஜீவனம்

தேஹிமே க்ருபயா சம்போ த்வயி பக்திம் அசஞ்சலம்

anAyAsena maraNaM vinAdainyena jIvanaM

dehi me kripaya shambho tvayi bhaktiM achanchalaM

Meaning:

a painless cessation, life without misery, 

please, grant me, shambhO, an unwavering love in Thou 

Whatever may be the desires of a person during his lifetime, there are only two goals that one should really aspire for (though they are not in his hands) that is a death without throes and a life without being pitied.

In respect of the first goal i.e. death without throes, we can only try to achieve it by keeping our body and mind fit. Regular habits, exercises commensurate with one's age and health, healthy diet and positive thinking may keep our body fit so that we can leave this mortal coil without much of effort on our part and little trouble to others. Lord Shiva also told Parvati ' Sareeram Aadyam Khalu Brahma Saadhanam' i.e. body comes first before attaining the lotus feet of Lord or only if the body is kept fit we can achieve our goal of becoming one with Him.

Regarding the second goal i.e. a life without being pitied, we may not have any control over this, but here too we can make an effort by leading a life of character. It is a sheer chance whether despite exemplary life, we can really lead a life where there is no need for pity from others. A chronic disease is one example.

In life let us maintain dignity, detachment and strength of character and not think of death at all. As nothing touches us after the Atman leaves the body, let us try to practice same state of mind even when the Atman resides in this body.

Courtesy: 

Writer Sri Indra Soundararajan on DD Podhigai (Kanchiyin Karunai Kadal)

http://anumarlapudi-pondering.blogspot.in/