LIFE OF PI - A Tribute to Irfan Khan

"I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye." - Irfan Khan from the movie "Life of Pi"

Probably one of the best movie of Irfan Khan is the "Life of Pi" (that is the only movie I have seen of his). The movie shows how Irfan Khan as Pi, was saved once during the drowning of the ship in which his family was relocating to Europe and the second time, while being stranded alone in the Pacific Ocean along with a ferocious Bengal tiger called Richard Parker in a small sail boat. But in the movie of life, he sadly couldn't be saved from the cancer that was ravaging him. We may get saved many times from many life-threatening circumstances but there will be one situation when we will not survive. Whoever one is, however famous one may be, however educated and successful one may be, everyone has to meet this inevitable end.

Lord Krishna states this truth in the Bhagvat-gita 2.27 -

"jātasya hi dhruvo mṛtyur

dhruvaṁ janma mṛtasya ca"

"For one who has taken his birth, death is certain; and for one who is dead, birth is certain."

Therefore intelligence is to prepare for this inevitable moment. How to prepare for this final exam and pass it with flying colours is explained by Lord Krishna in Bhagvad-gita 8.5 and by Shukadev Goswami in Srimad-bhagvatam 2.1.6

"anta-kāle ca mām eva

smaran muktvā kalevaram

yaḥ prayāti sa mad-bhāvaṁ

yāti nāsty atra saṁśayaḥ"

"And whoever, at the time of death, quits his body, remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature. of this there is no doubt." - Bhagvat-gita 8.5

"etāvān sāṅkhya-yogābhyāṁ

sva-dharma-pariniṣṭhayā

janma-lābhaḥ paraḥ puṁsām

ante nārāyaṇa-smṛtiḥ"

"The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete knowledge of matter and spirit, by practice of mystic powers, or by perfect discharge of occupational duty, is to remember the Personality of Godhead at the end of life." - Srimad-bhagvatam 2.1.6

Our prayers to Irfan Khan who I heard was a vegetarian from his very childhood even though born in a Muslim family. His father used to say that he is a Brahman boy born in a Muslim family. Such sincere Muslims bring great glory to their religion. We pray that wherever he may be, he will continue on his search for the Absolute truth, something that was so well depicted in the movie, "Life of Pi" and that was so dear to his heart in his real life too. This life is after all, a small scene in the big movie of the imperishable soul to find answers to the mystery of life and death.

- Achyut Gopal Das

Comments

MY EXPERIENCE AT MAURITIUS

I had the opportunity to visit Mauritius for a few days along with a few devotees from Goa. I am sharing my experience of being in this small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean for those who haven't had the opportunity to be here. Mauritius is very much like India or more specific, very much like Goa but it is definitely more beautiful than Goa. THE BLUE ISLAND One of the most striking feature of this place that really stands out is the colour of the ocean here. The crystal blue, transparent, aqua, turquoise waters of it's ocean has the power to mesmerize anyone. No wonder, why people from all over the world flock to this island for recreation. God's wonders are just amazing. How He creates so many different oceans with so many different colours and shades. Speaking of the wonder of God, another wonder of this island is that at different places in this small island, the temperature and the climate is different. It is called micro-climate. ...

ENROUTE TO THE SPIRITUAL WORLD

It is explained in the scriptures that on the route to the spiritual world, one will have to pass through the irresistibly attractive heavenly planets. Only very rare and fixed up souls are able to get ahead of these tests and boldly march ahead to the spiritual world. Most decide to take a break and engage in their rendezvous at the highly-eulogized heavenly pleasure gardens. Thinking about making my journey through these heavenly realms without getting stranded in these heavenly realms is a scary thought. My only hope is, if I meet some devotee in those realms who helps me stay inspired and focused on the path to the spiritual world with an unwavering mind by reminding me as to how close I am to see the Supreme Lord face to face. At every step in our journey to the spiritual world, we are fully dependent on the association of the devotees of the Lord. Without their ...

REQUEST TO & FROM A MOTHER

Today on the occasion of Mother's Day, I went to meet the cow, our mother to wish her for Mother's Day and make a request to her. I requested her to shower her blessings and mercy on her children who are suffering so badly due to the deadly covid virus. The good news for all of us is that, she mercifully agreed to shower her heartfelt blessings, prayers, mercy on all her children. After all, that's the heart of a mother - always wanting and desiring best for her children. I was elated, my mission accomplished - now, the suffering of humanity will reduce. As I was leaving, the cow also had one personal request. She requested me with tears in her eyes to request her children not to abuse, exploit and slaughter her mercilessly. I could literally feel her pain and suffering as she made this request. This was the pain of a mother. Tears swelled up in my eyes. I didn't know what to reply her. I did tell her that I will pass on her request to her other children and I walked ...

The Wisdom Park

Search This Blog