Escaping the Quagmire

The first principle for escaping the quagmire of this material existence is to recognize that it is indeed a quagmire. As long as we are still fascinated by this place considering it as a realm of enjoyment we will never be able to escape its all-devouring clutches. Therefore we must also see it as Martyaloka, the world of death, and focus all of our energies on getting back to that most wondrous spiritual sky where death is conspicuous by its absence.

Srila Prabhupada Guides Us Back to Krishna

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Answers by Citing the Vedic Version

Question: How to Chant Hare Krishna at the Time of Death?

Hare Krishna Srila Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

My office colleague and friend Bhakta Pankaj wants to know how can a person chant Hare Krishna for deliverance when he is dying, because at that time he cannot see, speak, or hear as the Yamadutas (agents of Yamaraja, the god of death) will be standing before him.

Your servant,
Sacinandana Das

Answer: Don't Wait Until Then. Start Chanting Now.

He should not wait for time of death to chant Hare Krishna. He should fully absorb himself now in Krishna consciousness by chanting at least 16 rounds of Hare Krishna japa mala every day, following the regulative principles (strictly avoiding illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling), and accepting a bona fide spiritual master. In this way he will be able to train his mind how to always stay fixed in remembering Krishna even at the time of death. If he will follow these simple guidelines, he will not see the Yamadutas at the time of death. He will instead see the Visnuduatss, the agents of Lord Vishnu, who have come to take him back to his original home in the spiritual world.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari