The happiness of Death!

What a pleasant surprise to have you here, my dear Veda! It has been ages since you put in your appearance here.

You say death is better than sufferings but let me give you an instance of a dying person postponing his death to suffer more! In the Kurukshetra War, when Bhishma was pierced by Arjuna's arrows, Bhishma gave up his battle knowing his end had come. He had obtained a boon called 'Ichcha Mrityu', that is to be able to die whenever he wanted. As this incident happened in Dakshinayana, he wanted to wait till the dawn of Uttarayana, a sacred time for dying, and requested Arjuna to make a bed of pointed arrows for him to lie down awaiting his death.

Lying on a bed of arrows till his death was Bhishma's own choice. He could have awaited his death in a much better ambiance considering the great respect he enjoyed both with Pandavas and Kauravas but he chose a painful way of exiting this body. It was because of Bhishma's terrible vow that finally resulted in the battle. He had to stand for Adharma in the battle because of his vow. He felt helpless and perhaps guilty. It was perhaps to atone for spending all his life on the side of Adharma that he chose to suffer his way to death.

If we all know when to stop, that will be prudence of the highest order. 'Enough is enough' is easier said than done. Spending more time with family and GOOD friends will certainly help us to retain our sanity!
Sri