Coping with loss

The recent events, including wars, terrorist attacks, accidents and stampedes, bring home the point that life is like a flicker of a candle that may be blown out at any time. It is painful to watch the death of dear elderly relatives. Sudden deaths that come without warning or through terminal illnesses are heartbreaking for those left behind. Grief is sharply felt when pet animals die. It is said that a parent's sorrow for a child's loss continues ad infinitum.

Puranas mention King Chitraketu, who, after many years of childlessness, performs a sacred yajna to beget a son. However, the child is poisoned by his jealous stepmother. Chitraketu becomes inconsolable and bemoans his terrible fate when sage Narad, along with sage Angirasa, summons the child's soul to soothe his father. The king is speechless when the spirit soul questions the rishi, to whom the sage is referring, as it has had numerous parents in its multiple lives. The king realises that the soul is infinite while the body is for a predetermined period as per karmic deserts, and he retires into penance.

The Ishopanishad says, for one who realises that life is the journey of souls that are connected, although each is different, there is no cause for attachment or sorrow. One can only strive for realisation, especially in times of distress.