Om. O Lord Shiva, one with three eyes
(third eye signifying wisdom),
who is full of sweetness and who supports all life,
Just as a ripe cucumber is separated from its bondage
(to the vine, help me move away from my attachments to
relatives, friends and pleasures of this world);
Liberate me from (the fear of) death and take me towards
immortality (permanent bliss).
It is our very strong desire to ‘enjoy life’ or be with our loved ones and fear of the unknown that keeps us from accepting death. Just as a ripe cucumber has to be separated from its vine, O, God please help me cut off my ties (attachment) to the pleasures of life, this physical body and to my relatives.
The process of dying is called “Mahāprasthān” or a ‘the great journey’. Dying is like ‘going off to sleep and waking up in a different environment’ or a different world. At the time of death, the soul ( Jivātmā) leaves the physical body. It experiences incomparable peace and love, a feeling of being immortal, indestructible and perfect in every way. The soul ( Jivātmā) carries all the unresolved fruits of actions ( Karma), desires and impressions of experiences ( Vāsanā-s) that the body had in life. These determine the circumstances for the next birth.
We are born again in a family and circumstances to fulfill our desires and resolve our Karma-s.
Four Pillars of the Society