The fangs of death They are more deadly and poisonous then the bite of Cobra Loss of property, business , material wealth can be replaced, regained,but many commit suicide and destroy themselves in pursuit of lost empire of happiness.There are others who will bounce back with detremination and courage and not just sit like a recluse with folded arms .Such success stories are a legend Loss of life is entirely on a different plane.The loss of a total unknown stranger does not evoke much sentiment.It is just another stastistic. These numbers of dead are of daily ocurrence and yet it does not touch or evoke any sympathies.The Loss of friend, acquaitance ,colleague,rattles us.We express condolences and convey our deep feelings to the family and all concerned .We go a step further attend funeral rites and follow the rituals and customs associated with the departed and those living.Spititual solace is a special balm of consolation that relieves the pain of suffering mourners.The incident is not a speed breaker on our own ward journey, but a momentary pause to recoup our sagging spirits of despair The loss of immediate member of our own family is catastrophic ocassion.It is like amputation of the limb ,an eathquake that shatters family relations and rocks the foundation of family unity and togetherness It cannot be rebuilt even over time. In fact the passage of time the wound may get healed but the scar of togethernes is a lifelong experience of torture and agony and can only rest with us in the grave It does not matter whether it is husband ,wife, daughter or son ,grand parent or even an unborn child.The agony is aggravated by our closeness and intimate relationships with the missing The pining and longing continues unabated Miniscule few can adjust and bear the pain Others resort cowardly to end life with suicide ,resort to drugs, alcohol live the life of a recluse, abandon zest for living and prepare or live a living death.They ignore that living are more important than dead The act of selflagelation is a cruel way to seek redress.The attempt to seek justification is always in vain. To the numerous questions posed there is no answer of satisfaction or justification of death at any stage.Old may have lived long enough, the sick and suffering are relieved,the lonely and abandoned are no more a burden ,those who are afflicted with incurable diseases or terminal patients are merciful for end in disguise.Bedridden patalysed in vegetative stage pray for departure.We all know that everyone living must die someday.It is natural and universal truth.Yet we are loath to accept the truth and reality. Why some will leave at different stages of life is iuncertain, specially unborn souls. Who questions a gardener for plucking mangoee,or flowers for different purposes and leave some on the plant.His act is absolute desire , no one to answer for.We are likely to attribute pur misfortune to fate, destiny, Divine plan ,or that whom God wants die young ,or that will meet after life are fads and are means to get some mental satisfaction. The idea of a curse of alleged assumptions of misdeeds torments some. As self accusations, sufferrings are believed to be course correction, retributions for wayward life is a harmful guilt complex .Doubts like Thomas are inevitable human trait that needs to be controlled.Job in the Bible was physically tormented to test his faith and was blessed a thousand folds for his faith in the midst of unbearable adversities.. Sufferings are meant to be purification of the soul,or a pause button to asses our life.Philosophy that unless the seeds die, it will not be reborn to yield multiple harvest .The quest for heaven, the gateway is death.Imagine the burden of eternal living, if death was not a escape Whatever be the answer ,loss of family member shatters the mind and ruptures our heart. May be the only way we touch our loved ones is through spiritual route, because it is the bitcoin that is operative in the realms of heaven Accept the reality of death, adjust and rest our life as it is beyond our finite mind to fathom the mystery and reasons of death.None can be hired or paid to bear the pain of death it is approval experience.Our tradition and custom to appease the soul or convey our state of sadness to others may have some effect..Involve in productive, constructive activities , hobbies,join social organisations,prayer groups etc that will bring peace to the tormented mind and a little sunshine and joy on the horizon of depressed living through sublimation and elevated thoughts. God Divine faced death too but the glory of resurrection is hope that assures ,guarantees eternity. Denial of pleasures of living will not alleviate the state of dead ,as they are immune to such practices and earthly thoughts and practices Follow the ideals, practice the path, see the silver lining in New life of torture of mourning and recall relieve the happy moments of shared joys.Our mind should be a fountain of positive acceptance and countless blessings of togetherness however transient in nature Good things like bad ones do not last forever.The cycle will repeat itself in nature at periodic intervals without consent or warning As sadness and happiness alternate ,time and world never haults due to any incident that is disastrous or otherwise. Goodness of doing good is not business for return favours for then it will not be kindness Nelson Lopes Chinchinim 9850926276