The Habits of the Mind Become the Tendencies at the Time of Death

In the end, what we think, feel, and practice every day becomes our final tendency at the moment of death. The Bhagavad Gita states clearly — “Whatever state of being one remembers at the time of death, that state he will attain in his next birth.” Thus, our final thought determines our future existence.    But how can one expect to remember the Divine at death if one has spent an entire life in attachment, illusion, and selfish activity? Can a person who has lived in ignorance suddenly attain the consciousness of Buddha or Mahavir at the time of death? Certainly not. Those exalted states were achieved through lifetimes of tapasya (penance), awareness, and renunciation.

The Diminishing Strength of the Human Soul

Today, human beings are losing inner strength. For the smallest insult, people lose control or even destroy themselves. This is the sign of the weakening soul and the dominance of maya — the illusion that blinds discernment between right and wrong. Though surrounded by wealth, comfort, and possessions, the human heart is restless. Death remains the one certainty from which there is no escape.

The Story of the Old Couple

Recently, a touching video showed an elderly couple from Surat being taken to an old-age home. They had two sons, both earning enough to sustain themselves, yet neither was willing to care for their aged parents. In the video, the parents were seen leaving their home in an auto, weeping silently. It was a heartbreaking reminder of how humanity is degrading.

Even after raising children, building a home, and sacrificing everything, they were abandoned in old age. And what did they seek? Not wealth or luxury — only peace of mind. Yet, that peace eludes those who never cultivated it within.

The Importance of Knowledge and Awareness

If these souls had known Brahma Gyaan — the knowledge of the Self — their suffering could have been avoided. People spend their entire lives in ignorance and attachment, and when death approaches, they suddenly wish to go to heaven, to Goloka, or to Vaikuntha. But how can one reach those realms without preparation, without purifying the mind and intellect? Young people believe they will never grow old. They forget that every child grows into youth and every youth into old age. Time spares no one. Yet, even in old age, there is a chance for transformation if one uses it wisely. To believe that remembering God in the last moment will bring salvation, without ever living a God-conscious life, is self-deception. One who has wasted his entire life without self-realization cannot suddenly attain it at death.

The Final Thought — The Seed of the Next Life

The final wish of life becomes the first event of the next birth. Death is not an end — it is a great sleep. The last thought before sleep becomes the first thought upon waking. Similarly, the final desire before death becomes the first tendency in the next life.Mṛtyu mahānidrā hai — death is the great sleep. The same soul awakens in another body, continuing the journey of its unfulfilled desires. Just as a tree contains its future within the seed, so too the life force of this existence carries forward into the next. The desires, fears, and attachments cultivated over a lifetime become the seed of future destiny. If your life has been dominated by thoughts of wealth, you will think of wealth at the moment of death. A miser dies worrying about his treasure and may even become the very serpent guarding it. The stories of such snakes sitting over their hoards carry deep meaning — they symbolize attachment condensed into form.

The Anesthesia of Death and Forgetfulness

At the time of death, all the glands in the body release their final energies. The person becomes unconscious — enveloped in a divine anesthesia. This is why the memories of past lives are forgotten: what happens in unconsciousness cannot be remembered.

Most people live and die in this unconscious state — distracted by external attractions, false identities, and material illusions. The true practice of yoga and knowledge is to remain aware, remembering the impermanence of the world and the eternity of the soul.

The Awareness of Impermanence

Reflect on this: “Nothing I possess here will accompany me.” You are a trustee, not an owner. You came empty-handed and shall leave everything behind. Your true home is Paramdham, the realm of supreme light — not this temporary world of strife.When you remember this, a deep peace arises within. You realize that the soul is not bound to this Earth, this family, or this body. You belong to the infinite, and that remembrance brings release.

The Words of Saints and Seers

Saint Tulsidas Ji wrote: “As is the feeling of the devotee, so is the form of God he attains.” The emotion at the final moment determines whether one moves toward light or illusion.Swami Vivekananda said: “Death is but a change of condition. The last thought determines the next birth.”Maharishi Ramana declared: “You carry your tendencies into the next birth. Only the self-aware are free from rebirth.”Acharya Chanakya too noted that the thought at the moment of death decides the future course of the soul. Even Saint Eknath said that though anyone may chant God’s name at the end, without lifelong practice the mind will not remain stable. True devotion is not ritual — it is remembrance and understanding.

Beyond Ritual and Devotion

Pouring ghee or milk on idols may calm the mind temporarily, but it does not purify the soul. Without inner transformation, rituals cannot liberate you. Even gods and deities dwelling in the mortal realm need knowledge to ascend. Bhakti is the first step, but Brahma Gyaan is liberation. Bapuji Dashrathbhai Patel beautifully explains that the soul’s vibration at the final moment determines its next destination. The soul established in supreme awareness transcends all fear. Such a soul knows, “I am the divine element of the universe, immortal and free.”

The Account of Energy

We record every rupee earned and spent, but who accounts for the energy of the soul? Every thought, conversation, and distraction consumes energy. Yet, few invest time in meditation or divine knowledge. The true audit of life lies in how much of our consciousness is directed toward the Supreme. The one who invests their awareness in God-consciousness becomes free. The one who invests it in desires remains bound.

The Lamp of Knowledge

A lamp can only light others if it has oil and a burning flame. Likewise, only the enlightened can illuminate others. First awaken your own light. Fill yourself with divine oil — the oil of wisdom, love, and self-awareness. Then your light will dispel the darkness within and around you. Temples and ashrams should not be mere buildings; they must be centers of knowledge and awakening. Only when true knowledge spreads will hospitals no longer be needed, for disease arises from mental and spiritual imbalance.

Knowledge and Spiritual Growth

Wisdom is paramount, guiding one's journey and potential. Dwelling on ego and minor grievances distracts from spiritual growth, while true knowledge leads to liberation beyond lifetimes. The essence of death determines the next incarnation, urging focus on inner purity and the pursuit of divine wisdom

Meditation and Awareness

Before sleep, the soul practices awakening, and one must prepare for death rather than merely waiting for it to achieve victory over it. According to Maharishi Patanjali, through practice and detachment, the mind's fluctuations can be calmed, allowing a pure intention that guides the soul toward higher realms after death. Thus, death is not an end but a transition influenced by the final thoughts, determining the nature of the soul's next incarnation.

 According to Bapu ji

The soul that is established in supreme knowledge has no fear of death because its consciousness transcends boundaries. This is absolutely correct. Our consciousness, our intellect, our meditation transcends boundaries. Currently, our desires pull our attention. Bapu ji says that at the end time, the frequency at which the soul resides determines its vibrational quality. According to that, the soul enters the next world. Therefore, go beyond meditation and body awareness: I am the soul. I am immortal. I am the divine element of the universe. The Path of Liberation The habits of the mind become the tendencies at the time of death. Therefore, practice awareness now. Purify your desires now. Direct your thoughts toward your eternal home now.