Shloka 18
Aśoka-śāstra: Nārada’s Instruction on the Cessation of Śoka
Grief
निशि चाहनि चात्मानं योजयेत् परमात्मनि । प्रतीक्षमाणस्तत्कालं यत्कालं प्रेतता भवेत्
niśi cāhani cātmānaṃ yojayet paramātmani | pratīkṣamāṇas tat-kālaṃ yat-kālaṃ pretatā bhavet ||
Yājñavalkya dit : «De nuit comme de jour, il faut atteler le soi au Soi suprême. Ayant compris les signes qui annoncent la mort, le chercheur discipliné, maître de son esprit, doit demeurer en contemplation du Suprême et attendre avec calme l’instant même où doit advenir l’état du départ (la mort).»
याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Continuous inner discipline: keep the mind yoked to the Supreme Self at all times, and cultivate death-awareness so that the final moment is met with steady contemplation rather than fear or distraction.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on liberation-oriented conduct, Yājñavalkya advises a seeker to practice uninterrupted meditation and, recognizing death’s forewarning signs, to remain composed and prepared for the inevitable transition.