3. The nuances of birth and death - Part 2

Later in the Evening, when all the guests left after enjoying a great feast organised by Vasu and family, Vasu sits in his lawn appearing to be enjoying the sunset but he is constantly staring at the sun thinking of the question posed by Nidhi. The setting sun surely has an answer as to when it is going to rise again but Vasu has no answer yet for the subtle but, difficult question posed by his daughter.

If someone has the ability to read what people are thinking, then Vasu's mind is being bombarded with following thoughts...

So basically what Nidhi is asking is, if birth and death are a part of natural process, then why we associate dogmas with them? 

Till now, I have not given it a thought. This is how I was brought up. The other day when Nidhi saw a dead person, involuntarily I was just trying to replicate what my parents did to me when I was a kid. But, Nidhi has a valid point.

If we think this through, we associate our feelings with the events like birth and death. Meaning, the birth of a baby gives a family immense happiness and we feel good about it and eventually we associate happiness with good.

Whereas, the death of a family member brings immense sadness and a situation of uncertainty. Fear is the dearest friend of uncertainty and whether we accept it or not, death (of self or close family members) is certainly one of the top fears for most of us. We thus associate sadness and fear to bad.

On someone's death, few of us are even afraid to pay the last respects because we fear that at some point in our future, we may be in similar situation. We may be temporarily avoiding it but clearly people with such an attitude doesn't understand the nuances of birth and death. Even I was one among them until Nidhi opened my mind with her question.

Meanwhile, Nidhi who was playing hide and seek with her mates finds Vasu alone in the lawn and she immediately hops onto him exulting "Dada"!! And reflexively Vasu holds onto her and kisses her forehead.

Done playing hide and seek? Asks Vasu.

Yes dada. I was playing and when I saw you here, I remembered about your Pinky promise and I came here to remind you that. Says Nidhi.

Yes beta. I will answer your question now. says Vasu.

Really!! Says an excited Nidhi.

Yes..but before I answer you, tell me this,

What will your mother or I say to you at times when you are too naughty to irk us or you don't eat on time?

That you will put me in a dark room, says Nidhi with a feeble tone.

So aren't you afraid of dark room? 

Yes I am very afraid dada, says Nidhi.

Similarly death is like a dark room for many of us and to be afraid of death is inherently seeded in us since childhood but I will not bring you up like this. I will make you understand the nuances of birth and death from now. 

So next time when I see a dead person, you won't cover my eyes? Asks an innocent Nidhi.

Yes. That's right, says Vasu with a pride smile on his face while gently rubbing her forehead with his hand as a token of appreciation for asking right questions that ignited a chain of thoughts in his mind.

With this small conversation with Nidhi, Vasu has learnt a very valuable lesson. We should never let our dogmas or superstitions get in the way of doing our basic duty as a human being. i.e., helping those who are going through tough times...