Testimony of Utterances at Death
(Ref - Equation of Happiness, Chapter 6, book by Swami Vijnananand)
Here we are looking at the ‘feelings of mind’ at the moment of
departure.
As luck would have it, heroes (important, prominent people) all
over the world, in all walks of life mostly have crossed the stygian ferry
(journey of death) ailing (with disease, pains). Since the end is seen as
unpleasant, it reveals the shaky foundation on which they (the heroes) design
the plan of life. Throughout the life, a person is entangled in chain reaction
of pleasure and pain. And when this chain finally ends in weeping, then it is a
clear indication of our wrong approach towards life.
The last moments of happy, wealthy, healthy and fortunate people
offers rare exhortation (advice of recommendations) for the surviving humanity.
Some people hold an over optimistic view that happiness runs throughout the
straight stream of life and it (happiness) ends peacefully (as a full stop) at
the end of life. With an intention of keeping this naked truth alive in
readers’ mind, dying utterances and notions of fabulously rich, ambitious
politicians, brave, bold, healthy kings, and composed, sober jurists and other
prominent persons in diverse fields are recorded.
One may aggressively attack this view and strongly put forward a
view: Frequently the departing soul passes away in peaceful state. But as seen
from the real experience and also on logical consideration this statement is
not true in case of the people if they are leading normal material life of
pleasure, displeasure and ambitions.
To some extent the peaceful departing is described in case of
saint. The saint people with saintly attitude can leave this mortal world
without any commotion (agitation or noisy disturbance). But the fact is that the
saint never loved the life in usual sense of the term. Certainly, he has always
remained detached throughout his existence on this planet. In fact, he has
volunteered to suffer the torment (pains) throughout the course of his life.
Theophrastus (Greek Philosopher) and Descartes (French philosopher
and mathematician) support our contention in their dying outbursts.
Theophrastus – “Life holds mere disadvantages
than pleasures”
Descartes – “Soul, hour to quit this prison has
arrived”.
On other side, we see that imposing, tyrant, oppressor emperors
(who had all material means at their command) could not lay their hands on a
process by which they could die satisfied. The richness, authority, mighty and
ambitious can pay any prize for the satisfaction but it does not yield any
results. In this light imperatively notions of the plutocrats (capitalists)
wealthy lords, dominant politicians at the time of death should be studied.
Millions of high ranking and elevated heroes have died ailing.
Here we have reproduced only representative, characteristic sayings. In a few
cases, they are not exact to word, but the substance is authentic.
Dying declaration – What they indicate?
The dying declarations that follow are to be seen in this light.
They remind the theory of equal and opposite, cause-effect relationship. No man
who craves for happiness in life, in true sense, ever attains happiness. He is
always seen concluding his sojourn
(temporary stay in this world i.e. life) facing untold miseries (the
death is mostly/always unhappy time).
JUDICIARY
Melvin W. Fuller, (U. S. Supreme Court Chief Justice): I am very ill.
Hugo Grotius, (Dutch Jurist, Statesman and Scholar): By understanding many things I have accomplished nothing.
Mark Antony (to Cleopatra): You must not pity me
in this last turn of fate. You should rather be happy in the remembrance of our
love, and in the recollection that of all men I was once the most famous and
the most powerful, and, now, at the end, have fallen not dishonorably, a Roman
by a Roman vanquished.
George Villiere, Buckingham (2nd Duke of)
(letter): To what situation am I now reduced! Is this odious, little hut a suitable
lodging for a prince? Is this anxiety of mind becoming the character of a
Christian? From my rank I might have expected affluence to wait upon my life:
from religion and understanding peace to smile upon my end; instead of which I
am afflicted with poverty and haunted by remorse; despised by my country and, I fear, forsaken
by my God. I am forsaken by all my acquaintance, neglected by the friends of my
bosom and dependents on my bounty; but no matter! I am not fit to converse with
the former and have no abilities to serve the latter. Let me not however be
forsaken by the good. Favor me with a visit as soon as possible. I am of
opinion this is the last visit I shall ever solicit from you. My distemper is
powerful; come and pray for the departing spirit of the poor unhappy
Buckingham.
Aurungzebe (A long lived king in Moghul regime in India): Soul of my soul........Now I am leaving. I am pained that you are
helpless. But what is the use? Every suffering I have brought upon, every sin
to my credit, every mistake committed by me, I take the consequence with me. It
is curious I had nothing when I took birth but I, at the hour of departure,
have collected lot of sin. Now only God is before me......for my sin
unimaginable afflictions await me. I am acutely being tortured.
Babar (first of the Moghul Kings in India by the side of his son
Humayun who was sick he prayed): God! A living
being is bartered for another: I surrender myself to save Humayun.
Julius Caesar: (To his assassin, among whom was Brutus, his one
time friend): Thou, too, Brutus, my son!
Howard Catherine: (Henry VIII s 6fth queen - sent to gallows for
adultery): I die a Queen, but I would rather die the
wife of Culpeter........God have mercy on my soul. Good people, I beg you pray
for me.
Sophia Charlotte: (wife of George III.) An attendant uttered inadvertently that her suffering was great
and that post life will be more comfortable. Still conscious, Sophia gave out
“Very True”.
Henry II: Shame, shame on a conquered king.
Louis XVI: People, I die guilt-free.
Messieurs, I am innocent of all the accusations, I am made liable for. I crave
that blood may cement the happy lot of the French people!
Napoleon: France! ...... Army! ..... Head of
the army! ..Josephine!
Nero: (To a guard looking after his wounds) Why so late! Is this the way of a loyal servant?
POLITICIANS
Dt Robert Ley (under trial as war criminal; he committed suicide.) Farewell, I can’t stand this shame any longer. Physically nothing
is lacking; the food is good; it is warm in my cell; The Americans are correct
and partially friendly. Spiritually, I have reading matter and write whatever I
want. I receive paper and pencil. They do care more for my health than is
necessary, and I may smoke and receive tobacco and coffee. I may walk at least
twenty minutes every day. Up to this point everything is in order, but the fact
that I should be e criminal-that is what I can’t stand.
FrankIin D. Roosevelt: I have a
terrific headache!
Mahatma Gandhi: (being
assassinated) Oh God (He Ram).
Here are some more such dying words from other references.
Two themes are continually repeated and
contrasted by those who are near to death's door. "Hopelessness,"
ominous and depressing, whispers of a feared fate. "Hopefulness"
gleefully shouts its confident message—"This isn't it! Death is not the
end—IT'S THE BEGINNING!"
Winston Churchill, the man whose vision and battle cry
was to "never give up," said on his deathbed, "I am convinced
that there is no hope."
Thomas Paine, the great writer, has these final words attributed to
him—"I would give worlds, if I had them, if The Age of Reason had never
been published. O Lord, help me! Christ, help me! Stay with me! It is hell to
be left alone!"
"Bring down the curtain—the farce
is over." -French philosopher and comic, Francois Rabelais, who died in 1553.
"Our God is the God from whom
cometh salvation. God is the Lord by whom we escape death." -Martin Luther.
"I am abandoned by God and man! I
shall go to hell! O Christ, O Jesus Christ!" -Voltaire.
Ref - http://www.ranker.com/list/dying-words-last-words-spoken-by-famous-people-at-death/notable-quotables
O. Henry - "Turn up the lights, I don't want to go
home in the dark." (William
Sidney Porter) - writer William Sydney
Porter, known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American writer. O. Henry's
short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization, and
surprise endings.
George Washington, US President - "It
is well, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go." George Washington was the first
President of the United States, the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army
during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the
United States.
Thomas Alva Edison - "It is very
beautiful over there." Thomas
Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices
that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the
motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb.
Edgar Allan Poe, writer - “Lord help
my poor soul.” Edgar
Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor, and literary critic, considered
part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and
the macabre.
Leonardo da Vinci, artist - "I
have offended God and mankind because my work didn't reach the quality it
should have.” Leonardo di
ser Piero da Vinci was an Italian polymath, painter, sculptor, architect,
musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist,
cartographer, botanist, and writer.
Theodore Roosevelt, US President - "Put
out the light."
Theodore "T.R." Roosevelt Jr.
was an American politician, author, naturalist, soldier, explorer, and
historian who served as the 26th President of the United States.
George Bernard Shaw, playwright - Sister,
you're trying to keep me alive as an old curiosity, but I'm done, I'm finished,
I'm going to die."
George Bernard Shaw was an Irish
playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics
Benjamin Franklin, statesman - A
dying man can do nothing easy."
Benjamin Franklin FRS was one of the
Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a
leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist,
inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
Elizabeth I, Queen of England – “All
my possessions for a moment of time.” Elizabeth I was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until
her death.
Charles Darwin - "I am not the
least afraid to die."
Charles Robert Darwin, FRS was an
English naturalist and geologist, best known for his contributions to
evolutionary theory.
Gaius Julius Caesar, Roman Emperor - "Et
tu, Brute?" Gaius
Julius Caesar was a Roman general, statesman, Consul, and notable author of
Latin prose.
Charles II, King of England and
Scotland - "Don't let poor Nelly (his mistress, Nell Gwynne) starve." Charles II was King of the three
kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Charles II's father, Charles I, was
executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil
War.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, US
President - "I have a terrific headache."
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly
known by his initials FDR, was an American statesman and political leader who
served as the 32nd President of the United States.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – “The taste
of death is upon my lips. I feel something that is not of this earth." baptised as Johannes Chrysostomus
Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the
Classical era. Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood.
Steven Paul Jobs - “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow." Jobs was an American entrepreneur,
marketer, and inventor, who was the cofounder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc.
.
.
It is revealed that most of
the so called successful people do not depart the life with tranquility. Some
or the other desire is left unfulfilled. What is true for these people is also
true for other lay persons.
Please note that we are assessing the status of mind at the
departing moment in life at the time of death in order to examine what possibly
can happen after death.
As the law says – “Energy cannot be created nor can be destroyed”.
At the death, the body remains while the life force
(spirit/mind/some sort of energy) departs from the body. This departed energy
existence, though not detectable to the present knowledge of science, cannot be
denied. The question we are discussing is what happens to this departed energy.
As seen commonly, the departing mind has some sort of desire which is left
unfulfilled at the departing moment.
The future course this mind would follow is the possible outcome
of this status at the death moment. In order to see the most common possible
status, we have seen the ending moments of some of the prominent lives in
different times.
In the last article in this series we shall try to see the logical
outcome and the possibilities of the situation of existence after death.
Vijay R. Joshi
