# Death and the Soul *On understanding the eternal nature of the self* --- ### Forgetfulness Is Death > Otherwise there is no death. *Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. Actually there is no death. This forgetfulness is death. We have forgotten who was our father, who was our mother, where I was born. That is death. And otherwise I am the soul, continuing. Just like in childhood so many things we did, but we have forgotten. The forgetfulness is death. The more one forgets, the more one is dead. Otherwise there is no death. *Na jāyate na mriyate vā*: "Never takes birth, never dies." Then what is death? Death is forgetfulness. — [[spoken/1977/770108r5.bom|Room Conversation, Bombay, January 8, 1977]] --- ### No More Birth After Tyaktvā Deham > We are giving this medicine, that after leaving this body... So far this body is concerned, somehow or other you pass on. And as soon as you give up this body—*tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti*—you'll have no more birth. And if you have no more birth, there will be no more death. And if you have no more birth, then there will be no more disease. This is our prescription. — [[spoken/1976/760106mw.nel|Morning Walk, Nellore, January 6, 1976]] --- ### Real Problem Is Birth and Death > So this movement is for that purpose. It is not for this *janma-mṛtyu,* I mean, temporary *jarā-vyādhi.* That is all right, but Kṛṣṇa says—if we take Kṛṣṇa's advice, *Bhagavad-gītā*—that is not problem. If there is little trouble, *tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata.* Real problem is that *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi*, try to stop it. That is intelligence. — [[spoken/1977/770108r2.bom|Room Conversation, Bombay, January 8, 1977]] --- ### Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Is End of Knowledge > There are many modern psychologist, scientist, physist, but they cannot analyze the subtle function that is going on, creating things as they are. Superficially we can see, but how things are taking place, that can be described in the Vedic literatures, not any other book. Therefore it is said, *vidyā bhāgavatāvadhiḥ:* "One who has studied *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* thoroughly, he has seen the end of knowledge." — [[spoken/1975/750108sb.bom|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.31, Bombay, January 8, 1975]] --- ### This Life Is Preparation for Next Life > He is addressing Śukadeva Gosvāmī. He has accepted Śukadeva Gosvāmī as his spiritual master. Therefore he says, *mahā-bhāga,* "the most fortunate man." You have to select a spiritual master, the most fortunate man. And who is most fortunate man? One who has understood Kṛṣṇa, he is most fortunate man. Not that one who has got dozens of motorcars, he is most fortunate man. You do not know where he is going after this body. You see? He may be enjoying very nicely in this life, but he is not preparing for the next life. This life is preparation for the next life. — [[spoken/1970/700103sb.la|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.6, Los Angeles, January 3, 1970]] --- *5 verified verbatim quotes from Śrīla Prabhupāda on death and the soul*