When The Dead Speak
It is one of the most important celebrations in Mexico, with roots dating back thousands of years, long before Spanish settlers arrived.
Families come together to honor their ancestors. The inevitability of death is accepted rather than feared. And this day is meant to honor death as a natural part of the cycle of life.
Most importantly is the realization that those who have died live on after leaving the body. Families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink, and celebration.
I will now retell a historical event in which the dead did speak.
Five-hundred years ago in India, in the city of Navadwip, a transcendental gathering was taking place in the courtyard of Shrivas Pandita’s home.
Shrivas was a most highly elevated saintly person and the confidential servant of the Supreme Lord who had incarnated as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Singing the transcendental Names of the Lord and dancing, Shrivas and other devotees surrounded Lord Chaitanya who was dancing in spiritual ecstasy.
Shrivas heard women wailing from inside the home and hurried inside to see that his young son had passed away. Quickly he stopped their lamentation by his transcendental instruction and then returned to the joyous kirtan(congregational chanting of the Holy Names) outside.
The kirtan continued for two and a half hours and then Lord Chaitanya was informed of the passing of Shrivas’ son.
The Lord took all the devotees inside and addressed the deceased son of Shrivas,
“What reasons have made you leave Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita’s house?”
The devotees were indeed surprised that the Lord was speaking to a dead body. Yet, their surprise turned to sheer wonderment when the deceased young boy spoke up, saying, “My Lord, everything happens according to Your will alone, who can influence Your will?” The devotees listened attentively to each word.
The boy continued, “I have enjoyed this body during the time prescribed for my presence within it. That time period is now over so I am leaving to take up another body. My Lord, although I must leave my present body, please be merciful to me so that I may never forget You. Who is one’s father? Moreover, who is one’s son? Everyone acts according to the result of his individual karma. As long as my destiny allowed me to remain in Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita’s house I have stayed, but now I must leave for yet another residence. My Lord, I offer my humble obeisances unto You and Your dear associates, please forgive all my offences and permit me to take Your leave.” With these parting words, the child lay still.
This wonderful miracle of the dead boy speaking such words of wisdom was a crowning experience for the devotees; they reached the heights of exultation. The entire family of Śrīvāsa was now carried on waves of ecstasy. Their lamentation was a past dream. Experiencing the bliss of love of Kṛṣṇa, they threw themselves at the Lord’s lotus feet and said, “O Lord, birth after birth, You are the father, mother and son. May we never forget the shade of Your lotus feet. Let us take birth in any place or condition, but please let our devotion at Your lotus feet be unflinching.” Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita and his three brothers prayed earnestly to the Lord and all the devotees cried out in appreciation and joy.
The Lord accompanied all the devotees as they carried Śrīvāsa’s son to the Gaṅgā, performing kīrtana all the way. The required rites completed, everyone bathed in the Gaṅgā and each went his own way home, chanting the Holy Name of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīvāsa’s family went back peaceful and satisfied by the last rites. Pg. 433-434 Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat.
If I meditate on this wonderful transcendental event and chant the Holy Names of the Lord, I can understand the passage of the living being from the body and prepare for that moment when I, too, will leave my body. And do so peacefully.