The Philosophy of Death

India and Indians have always been fascinated by the philosophy of death and the objective of life. Almost every ancient scripture to modern bollywood movies, death and the purpose of life is analysed consciously or sub-consciously. This fascination reflects the inquisitive nature of Indians and Indian philosophy, which is otherwise loosely termed as Hinduism. A separate blog is required to discuss the nature of Hinduism as a philosophy (or a way of life) rather than a religion. What I strive to discuss in this post is an ancient scripture called Katha Upanishad which in a beautiful story discusses death. Of the most profound philosophical works in Indian history, Vedas and Vedantas are the most ancient, most lucid and certainly the most authentic. Having strong religious basis, the philosophical under currents are of great interest to those uninterested in the religion. The Upanishads are the most developed of the Vedantas and is a sublime commentary on the Vedas engaging in philosophical speculation about the implications of the ancient invocations, mantras and rituals recorded in the Vedas. Initially there were over two hundred Upanishads, but the philosopher Shankara only considered fifteen or so to be primary. Of the fifteen, Katha Upanishad is the one that deals exclusively on the subject of Death. Presented as a conversation between a boy by the name of Naciketas and Yama, the god of death, much concerning the Inner Nature of Man and the secret of death is elaborated.

Nachiketa hassles his father on a particularly tiring day when his father has just completed a sacrifice and presented gifts to all. Nachiketa is curious as to whom his father will give him away as he has given away everything else. On being continually harassed by his son, the father (Gautama) says to Nachiketa in anger, “ To Death I give you”. The steadfast son that he is, he immediately embarks on a trip to meet Yama (the lord of death). Yama is not at his abode when Nachiketa arrives. The young boy spends three days and three nights at Yama’s doorstep without food or water. When Yama comes back, he sees a young Brahmin boy asleep at his footsteps and immediately envisions his dedication and resolve. Pleased Yama addresses the boy:

"Since you have stayed in my house as a sacred guestfor three nights without food, I salute you, priest.May it be well with me.Therefore in return choose three gifts."

A story has been set in the background as is the case in many Indian scriptures and it is time now for the philosophical discussion. Nachiketa’s first two gifts are relatively irrelevant to our discussion here. But it is his third wish that reflects the advanced philosophical thinking at around 1500 BC when the Upanishads was presumably written. As his third gift Nachiketa asks the following question:

"There is doubt concerning people who are deceased.Some say they exist, and others say they do not exist.Being taught by you, I would know this.Of the gifts, this is the third gift."

This jolts Yama, who does not expect a young boy to be interested in the meaning of Death which in Yama’s own words:

"Even the gods of old had doubt as to this.It is not easy to understand, so subtle is this law.Choose another gift, Nachiketas.Do not press me; release me from this one."

But Nachiketa is adamant. Yama tests the boy’s resolve by tempting him with

"Choose sons and grandsons who shall live a century,many cattle, elephants, gold, and horses.Choose a great estate of landand live as many years as you want.If you think this is an equal gift,choose wealth and long life.Nachiketas, be the ruler of a great country;I will make you the enjoyer of your desires.Whatever desires are hard to get in the mortal world,request all those desires at your pleasure.Here are lovely maidens with chariots and music;these are not to be attained by anyone.Be served by these whom I give you.Nachiketas, do not ask about death."

But Nachiketa refuses all the above with a profound logic confounding us today on how the author in 1500 BC could have such a sublime way of thought:

"Transient are the things of mortals, Ender,wearing away all the vigor of their senses.Even a full life is short.Yours be the chariots; yours be the dance and song.A person cannot be satisfied with wealth.Shall we enjoy wealth when we have seen you?Shall we live so long as you are in power?This is the gift to be chosen by me.Having approached undecaying immortality,what decaying mortal on this earth below that understands,that contemplates the pleasures of beauty and enjoyment,would delight in an over-long life?This about which they doubt, Death,what there is in the great passing-on---tell us that.This gift that penetrates the mystery,no other than that does Nachiketas choose."

Herein begins the conversation between Nachiketa and Yama. I would not delve deeper into the conversation for each man’s interpretation of the conversation would be different wherein lies the beauty of this scripture. Rather than saying that this is gods will, the Katha Upanishad goes on a complex logical route to explain the transient nature of everyday human happiness and desires and the permanence of human knowledge. It is for each of you to read and realise what I have from this great scripture. It is easy to dismiss this scripture as an ancient rambling on religion, but it is so much more than that. If we could ignore all that is irrelevant and pick the true words of wisdom we would realise the subtlety of ancient Indian philosophical works. It is essentially meant to be cloaked or disguised and left open to logical analysis. It is for each of us to find the answer and that’s what makes Indian writing and the religion (I would call it philosophy) so different. There is no one answer, one destination. There are however a few paths for us to choose. Whichever we choose it is imperitive that we travel well…

When I think of it, from time to time, you could find a new path for yourself as long as it is righteous…That’s the beauty of Indian philosophy and Katha Upanishad is a shining example of that beauty.

Love in the time of...

I am not as big a fan of Senor Marquez as Narayan or Rand’s and although I do like his 100 years of solitude and agree that it is a more difficult book to write than any other, I would rather stretch myself with a Guide or a Fountainhead. There is however one book by Senor Marquez that completely floors me- Love in the time of cholera.

I am a die hard romantic, but not in the conventional sense. While, I may not get a woman cuddly toys or fresh flowers I would most certainly walk holding hands into the sunset lost in a conversation or wait for the one I love all my life. Anyways, this is not to self-examine my romanticism nor to justify the flaws in it, this is to write about a book that I hold very dear, which I believe to be one of the most romantic books ever written and in the characters of which I can see all that is right…and wrong.

Love in the time of Cholera has a very simple storyline and some may very validly call it an old fashioned melodrama. It is all this and much more. Often in the greatest work of literature, it is the inherent simplicity of human emotions that makes a simple story immortal. Narayan had the gift and in this book Senor Marquez proves that it is possible to write an immortal book on a very simple premise.

As a young woman, Fermina Daza kept a lengthy and passionate correspondence with Florentino Ariza, who was socially her inferior, but was desperately in love with her. They became engaged through their letters, exchanged through hiding places and telegrams in code.
But one day, when Fermina Daza comes close to Florentino Ariza in the market, she feels suddenly ill and tells him it was all a mistake. Instead, she marries Dr. Juvenal Urbino, a European-educated perfectionist, who falls in love with her on a medical visit. Their tumultuous but affectionate marriage lasts over fifty years, through a civil war, cholera outbreaks and the Doctor's brief affair with a patient. Juvenal Urbino distinguishes himself by instituting policies to combat cholera. He dies, falling from a tree as he attempts to catch his pet parrot.
Florentino Ariza comes to the wake. He is now about seventy and controls a wealthy shipping operation. After the other guests leave, he approaches Fermina Daza, saying, "I have waited for this opportunity for more than half a century, to repeat to you once again my vow of eternal fidelity and ever-lasting love."

She throws him out of the house, but continues to think of him. He becomes a regular visitor. Finally, they take a boat ride together, down the rivers that are being slowly drained and poisoned, listening for the cries of the manatees. They do not return, but prepare to sail on forever.

This novel has an epic air to it and the conversations between Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza in their old age is amazing and mature. A novel that moves across almost a lifetime reflects patience and wisdom not to mention immortal love of Florentino Ariza.

Young Florentino Ariza loves Fermina and talks of immortal love when death and age is alien to him, the fact that he honours it when he sees death all around him and is face to face with mortality reflects the illogical and inexplicable nature of love and human happiness. The fact that vows of immortal love made when young which may sound absolutely idiotic and stupid to some- may yet be honoured, much later in life when we ought to know better, in the face of the undeniable fascinates me. The superb interplay between love of the protagonists (or antagonists as you see it) and cholera is brilliant.

Each time I read Love in the time of cholera, I recognise something that we all know-The only distinction between being madly in love and mad is in the love.

My return to random ramblings

It has been a while since I wrote. A lot of things have happened since October. I went down to India for a month’s holiday, came back and was offered a new job with a Big Four (in London), which I start later this year. To complicate things, my current employer doesn’t want me to leave and has raised the stakes (better salary, leading a bigger team, etc). And the last piece of jigsaw is an interview with a major Strategy Consulting Firm later this month. I hear you say, if this is the kind of complications- brings it on!!! But, I am clear, Big Four it is!!!

In the meantime, I have been to Vienna and Estonia (for a Ice cricket tournament!!!) and fallen in love with the latter. I think there is something very romantic about Eastern Europe. The snow, the stonewalls, the misty air, the biting frost and the song-like language, all makes one drift away from the hum dum of daily existence. I am sure it helps that Eastern Europe has the most beautiful women in the world. I am informed that Estonia in particular has the largest concentration of models per population in the world and I do not doubt it one inch. Before you think any further, I didn’t get laid in Estonia. The opportunity was there in the nightclubs and bars, but people who know me know that that’s not my style or taste. I would rather spend time speaking to an intelligent and charming lady sitting at fireside than fiddle around in a nightclub with loud music and even louder company. I am old fashioned (and boring!!!)

My trip to Vienna last Xmas was exciting as well. Stayed in a Castle at a hill that had been converted into a Hotel with a splendid view over Vienna. Went to a Concert at the Imperial Palace and indulged in some good old Mozart and Strauss. The real incident that made my trip was something more offbeat. When we were waiting for a Bus outside the Hotel, a Limo (antique Rolls Royce) drove out of it and the driver (a Santa Claus like figure who owned a whole fleet of them and chauffeured people around as a hobby) stopped the Limo is front of us and requested me to give him the opportunity to drive us into the town. In my conversation with him on the drive, I realised that he needed company and an Indian seemed exotic. It was absolutely fabulous, a trip around Vienna in a Limo with a Chauffeur, what else do I need in life??? Maybe that was my Christmas Gift. Unfortunately after he dropped us off at a Café, the Car broke down 100 metres down the road. It was my turn to return the favour; I duly helped him push the car to the edge of the road. Never once did his smile disappear or his charm frown. A good man. God Bless him.

I am back now and will start writing more often. Most probably on some ramblings which I flatter myself as philosophical.

Till then, I hope all of you had a great new year and a very merry xmas in the reverse order.