Those who remember me at the time of death will come to me. Do not doubt this.
The Bhagavad Gita
The Eternal Godhead
Topic: Life Beyond Death & the Spirit World
“Those who remember me at the time of death will come to me. Do not doubt this. Whatever occupies the mind at the time of death determines the destination of the dying; always they will tend toward that state of being. Therefore, remember me at all times and fight on. With your heart and mind intent on me, you will surely come to me. When you make your mind one-pointed through regular practice of meditation, you will find the supreme glory of the Lord.
The Lord is the supreme poet, the first cause, the sovereign ruler, subtler than the tiniest particle, the support of all, inconceivable, bright as the sun, beyond darkness. Remembering him in this way at the time of death, through devotion and the power of meditation, with your mind completely stilled and your concentration fixed in the center of spiritual awareness between the eyebrows, you will realize the supreme Lord.
I will tell you briefly of the eternal state all scriptures affirm, which can be entered only by those who are self- controlled and free from selfish passions. Those whose lives are dedicated to Brahman attain this supreme goal.
Remembering me at the time of death, close down the doors of the senses and place the mind in the heart. Then, while absorbed in meditation, focus all energy upwards to the head. Repeating in this state the divine Name, the syllable om that represents the changeless Brahman, you will go forth from the body and attain the supreme goal.
I am easily attained by the person who always remembers me and is attached to nothing else. Such a person is a true yogi, Arjuna. Great souls make their lives perfect and discover me; they are freed from mortality and the suffering of this separate existence. Every creature in the universe is subject to rebirth, Arjuna, except the one who is united with me.”
The Bhagavad Gita
Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture - a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991, p. 199 [The Bhagavad Gita 8:5-22 (8.5-7, 12-13)].
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The Bhagavad Gita 8:5-13
This teaches that one’s prayer and attitude at the time of death is all-important for the soul’s subsequent journey. Regardless of the quality of one’s life, just remembering God at the time of death can lead to liberation. Yet since death may come suddenly, and may be accompanied by much pain and distraction, the habit of remembering God should be nurtured throughout life.
–[World Scripture – a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991] p. 199.
God Makes the Rivers to Flow
The Bhagavad Gita (“Song of the Lord”) is India’s best-known scripture. This passage has been translated by Easwaran for meditation and is published in his spiritual anthology, “God Makes the Rivers to Flow.” [Also by Easwaran: The Bhagavad Gita and Essence of the Bhagavad Gita: A Contemporary Guide to Yoga, Meditation, and Indian Philosophy.]
The eighteen verses which conclude this chapter, “Living in Wisdom” (Gita 2:54-72), were considered by Gandhi to contain the essence of the Gita’s teaching. “All Paths Lead to Me” is from Gita 4:9-11; “The Eternal Godhead,” dealing with the time of death, is from Gita 8:5-22). “Whatever You Do” is the close of chapter 9; “The Way of Love” is the whole of chapter 12.
–Eknath Easwaran [God Makes the Rivers to Flow (Nilgiri Press, 2009)].