Introduction
As we step into the senior years of life, the fears and experiences of our super-seniors begin to offer subtle yet profound lessons. I often recall my late father, who would sincerely pray that he be spared a life of complete dependency (मोहताजी) in his final days. His prayers were answered—he passed away peacefully at the age of 84, after a brief illness, preserving his dignity until the end.
But can all of us hope for such grace? In an age marked by sedentary lifestyles, rising stress, environmental pollution, and unpredictable health conditions, even the young are not immune. Is it truly within our control to remain free from helplessness and total reliance on others?
These concerns weigh heavily on many minds. The fear of losing autonomy is as tangible as the fear of death itself. And why do we fear death so deeply? Often, it is because of our deep attachments—to people, possessions, identities, and unfinished dreams.
This creates a strange paradox: many of us fear dying, yet equally dread the idea of living a prolonged life that feels insignificant, painful, or dependent. We are, at times, haunted by both—by the finality of death and the fragility of life.
Today, I reflect upon this dual fear through the lens of an insightful article by Narayani Ganesh, titled “Death and Immortality – Both Evoke Fear”, published in The Speaking Tree blog in The Times of India. The article explores key dimensions of this theme:
Key Themes from the Article:
- Fear of Death and Immortality – Death evokes fear due to its association with loss and the unknown, while immortality brings its own burdens—endless existence, loneliness, and potential suffering.
- Thanatophobia and Other Phobias – The fear of death (thanatophobia) is often linked to anxiety and existential dread. Other related fears include chronophobia (fear of passing time) and apprehension about the afterlife.
- Challenges of Immortality – Though many long for a prolonged life, true immortality might involve endless suffering, detachment, or even the deterioration of body and mind.
- Immortality in Hindu Thought – Hindu scriptures mention eight Chiranjivis (immortals): Hanuman, Ashwatthama, Parshurama, Mahabali, Vyasa, Vibhishana, Kripacharya, and Markandeya. The article also refers to Kriya Yoga Guru Mahavatar Babaji, believed by some to have lived for over 5,000 years and occasionally sighted.
Even if we assume such beings exist, one may ask: what is the purpose of living in isolation, far from society, without contributing visibly to the welfare of the world?
The article wisely concludes that rather than fearing death or desiring immortality, we should aim to embrace life with full awareness and purpose. I wholeheartedly agree. Yet I would add: we must also rise above fear itself—whether it be the fear of death, of living insignificantly, or of enduring a life of dependency.
We should not fear the end, nor dread a prolonged, dependent existence. We must not even be afraid of suffering, for it may be a result of our own karmas.
As long as fear clouds our vision, we remain entangled in illusion. True liberation lies not in clinging to life or in resisting death, but in transcending both. Only then can we touch the stillness of the eternal.
Fear of Death and Immortality
Most of us are haunted by the fear of death—the fear of non-existence, separation from loved ones, and the great unknown beyond. Ironically, even the idea of immortality can be unsettling. Endless existence without meaning may feel more like a burden than a blessing.
The fear of death stems from uncertainty, while the fear of immortality arises from the imagined weight of eternal life—particularly the possibility of living in a prolonged state of dependency, evoking its own kind of suffering.
I’m reminded of the contrasting experiences of my maternal grandparents.
- My grandfather appeared calm and composed just a day before his passing. Perhaps, on some deeper level, he sensed that his time had come. Though there was no visible discomfort, he looked me in the eye and said with a steady voice, “I will die now.” It seemed as if fulfilling his worldly duties—having seen his family grow and thrive—had given him the inner peace to welcome death without fear.
- My grandmother, on the other hand, was not as fortunate. She suffered from paralysis for several years, confined to bed and fully dependent on her caregiver. We could only watch helplessly as she gradually withered away. And yet, I never saw fear in her—neither of her condition nor of the end. She appeared to have quietly accepted her fate as karma.
Looking back, I believe this attitude stemmed from how deeply religious values were woven into the psyche of that generation. Having lived through both the prosperous days before India’s Partition and the hardships that followed, they had developed an innate ability to adapt, rebuild, and remain content—regardless of circumstances.
They may not have remembered verses from the Bhagavad Gita the way some modern-day gurus recite them—often for fame or fortune—but their quiet wisdom, rooted in simplicity and acceptance, speaks volumes.
Thanatophobia & Existential Angst
Modern psychology defines thanatophobia as the persistent fear of death. It is often rooted in our attachment to the body, identity, and ego. A related anxiety—chronophobia, the fear of passing time—reflects our unease with aging and the impermanence of life.
“जो समय से डरता है, वह जीवन के हर क्षण में मृत्यु को देखता है।”
He who fears time sees death in every moment of life.
In my generation, I observe a spectrum of responses to ageing and illness. The truth is—at our stage in life, no one is completely free from health issues, minor or major. Seeking medical treatment when necessary is certainly wise. Yet, I personally avoid consulting a doctor unless I truly need to. If I can manage without intervention, I do.
On the other hand, I’ve seen individuals who, after retirement, devote themselves to becoming self-styled medical analysts—scouring the internet, matching every minor sensation with a worst-case diagnosis, rushing to private clinics, undergoing unnecessary tests, stockpiling free medicines, and only half-consuming them.
It’s difficult to say whether this behaviour stems from a deep fear of death, or perhaps a fear of becoming fully dependent later. But for me, the very thought of living in that constant state of medical obsession—gripped by imagined symptoms—feels more suffocating than the idea of dying in a state of dependency, should that be my destiny.
A calm acceptance of life’s unpredictability, rather than a compulsive attempt to control it through fear, is what gives us dignity in our later years.
Immortality’s Hidden Burdens
While many long for eternal life, Hindu mythology offers a sobering perspective. The Chiranjivis—Hanuman, Ashwatthama, Parshurama, Mahabali, Vyasa, Vibhishana, Kripacharya, and Markandeya—are believed to still walk this earth. Yet, most are portrayed as living in isolation, immersed in spiritual penance, detached from worldly affairs.
Another oft-quoted figure is Kriya Yoga Guru Mahavatar Babaji, said by some to have lived for over 5,000 years and occasionally sighted. Yet, even in his case, his existence remains mystical and private—his wisdom seemingly inaccessible to the world that desperately seeks guidance.
Their continued existence, if taken as true, raises a subtle but significant question:
What value does immortality hold if it leads to disconnection from the world’s needs, if the wisdom gained through centuries is not shared to alleviate suffering or dispel ignorance?
“अनन्त जीवन यदि अर्थहीन हो, तो वह स्वयं एक मृत्यु से बढ़कर कष्टदायक है।”
If eternal life lacks purpose, it becomes more agonizing than death itself.
Immortality, then, is not a blessing in itself—it is the purpose that lends it meaning.
Scriptural Insights: Gita & Beyond
When in doubt, let’s seek guidance from the wisdom of Yogeshwar Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, particularly regarding the fear of death and fear of dependent living.
Chapter 2, Verses 62–63: The Chain of Emotional Downfall
ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंसः सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते।
सङ्गात्संजायते कामः कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते॥
क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोहः सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रमः।
स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात् प्रणश्यति॥
Translation:
When a person dwells on the objects of the senses, attachment develops. From attachment arises desire, and from desire, anger is born.
From anger comes delusion; delusion leads to the loss of memory; the loss of memory causes the destruction of discernment; and with the destruction of discernment, one is ruined.
Insight:
These verses reveal a subtle psychological chain that begins with attachment and ends in self-destruction. While the focus is often on anger here, it’s the seed of attachment—born from repeated mental dwelling—that initiates the chain of inner collapse.
Fear is closely linked to this process. When we identify with the body, relationships, and material possessions, the fear of losing them becomes inevitable.
There is nothing wrong in planning wisely for old age or saving for eventualities. Prudence is a virtue. But when our actions are driven more by fear than by wisdom, it becomes a self-inflicted suffering—a thousand deaths lived in imagination, long before the real one arrives.
“अति मोह से जन्मता है भय, और भय से मनुष्य अपने ही जीवन से डरने लगता है।”
Excessive attachment gives rise to fear, and from fear, one begins to fear life itself.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna removes Arjuna’s fear of death with the wisdom of the soul:
“न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचित्, नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः।” (BG 2.20)
“The soul is never born, nor does it ever die. It has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being.”
The eternal nature of the soul renders both fear of death and longing for immortality irrelevant.
The Path to Salvation: Awareness & Balance
Fear is natural, but it can be conquered. The key is neither to crave immortality nor to deny death, but to live with awareness, purpose, and detachment.
“मुक्ति मृत्यु से नहीं, मोह के त्याग से मिलती है।”
“Liberation does not come from escaping death, but from letting go of attachment.”
Conclusion
To truly be free, we must conquer the fear of death and the burdens of life. This is the essence of spiritual growth and the path to salvation.
“जो मृत्यु को समझ लेता है, वही जीवन को पूर्णता से जीता है।”
“He who understands death, lives life to its fullest.”
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