Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 32
Dadhīci’s Supreme Charity and the Opening of Indra’s War with Vṛtrāsura
जातस्य मृत्युर्ध्रुव एव सर्वत: प्रतिक्रिया यस्य न चेह क्लृप्ता । लोको यशश्चाथ ततो यदि ह्यमुं को नाम मृत्युं न वृणीत युक्तम् ॥ ३२ ॥
jātasya mṛtyur dhruva eva sarvataḥ pratikriyā yasya na ceha kḷptā loko yaśaś cātha tato yadi hy amuṁ ko nāma mṛtyuṁ na vṛṇīta yuktam
Vṛtrāsura said: All living entities who have taken birth in this material world must die. Surely, no one in this world has found any means to be saved from death. Even providence has not provided a means to escape it. Under the circumstances, death being inevitable, if one can gain promotion to the higher planetary systems and be always celebrated here by dying a suitable death, what man will not accept such a glorious death?
If by dying one can be elevated to the higher planetary systems and be ever-famous after his death, who is so foolish that he will refuse such a glorious death? Similar advice was also given by Kṛṣṇa to Arjuna. “My dear Arjuna,” the Lord said, “do not desist from fighting. If you gain victory in the fight, you will enjoy a kingdom, and even if you die you will be elevated to the heavenly planets.” Everyone should be ready to die while performing glorious deeds. A glorious person is not meant to meet death like cats and dogs.
FAQs
This verse states that for anyone who is born, death is certain, and no complete worldly remedy exists to stop it; therefore one should choose a meaningful, dharmic course rather than fear the unavoidable.
In the midst of the war with the devas, Vṛtrāsura urges a fearless, dharmic stance: since death cannot be avoided, accepting a righteous death that brings honor and higher attainment is reasonable.
Remembering life’s uncertainty, prioritize dharma and devotion now—do your duty with integrity, reduce fear-driven choices, and aim for actions that uplift character and consciousness.