Thus Spake The Lord

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Thus Spake The Lord

 

 

 

The size of the subtle body which goes out of the person after death is said to be of the size of a thumb, according to the Kathopanishad (2-4-12, 13)

 

There is body, mind and soul; physical body, subtle mind and causal body. On death the physical and subtle bodies disintegrate, but the causal body remains. The food sheath, life sheath and mind sheath are impermanent. The intelligence sheath and bliss sheath remain. ...Only the body dies. Life and all the senses merge into mind. Mind merges into wisdom. Wisdom merges into bliss, into God.

 

Human beings are born in the world in which they live until they die. The body that is dead cannot be contacted again, at any time, or through any place. But even after death, one can be contacted either of two ways---the noble deed one has done while alive or the ignoble acts one has inflicted during life. Rama has become immortal as the embodiment of righteousness; Ravana has secured a place in memory as a symbol of demonic wickedness.

 

Becoming immortal does not imply that one can avoid death and continue living in the physical body for all time. It only means that the individual's name and fame will shine in the memories of people when one's character and achievements are noble and beneficial.

 

When your deeds are holy, coming generations will emulate them and offer gratitude for the example. But if they are harmful, even your contemporaries will condemn you and wish that you were never born.

 

 

Reference: Temple of All Religions: (Fifteenth Chapter of Garuda Purana and Sai Teachings) 1980, P. 85.

Hislop, John. Conversations with Sathya Sai Baba, P. 71.

Sathya Sai Speaks; Vol. XV, P. 151.

Sathya Sai Speaks; Vol. XII, P. 135-136.