Significance of Subject to death

The concept of "Subject to death" encompasses the recognition of human mortality across various philosophical perspectives. In Vaishnavism, it emphasizes the transient nature of human life, urging spiritual practice. The Purana highlights mortality's shared experience, linking it to the cycle of life and death. Vedanta underlines the inevitable cycles of grief associated with mortality, while Theravada acknowledges that all forms of existence must confront death. Collectively, these views stress the temporary nature of earthly life compared to divine beings.

Synonyms: Mortal, Perishable, Vulnerable, Destined to die, Transient, Finite, Ephemeral

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Subject to death'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, "Subject to death" signifies an acknowledgment of the unavoidable nature of death, highlighting that all aggregates of existence are destined to eventually cease, emphasizing the transient nature of life.

Significance of Subject to death in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):

Theravada Books

From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)

(1) A recognition of the inevitability of death that all aggregates, or forms of existence, must face.^[1]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Hindu concept of 'Subject to death'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, "subject to death" signifies the transient nature of human life, urging spiritual efforts, highlights mortality's reality compared to the divine, and connects thoughts to life cycles, reflecting shared human conditions of grief and inevitability.

Significance of Subject to death in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):

Purana Books

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) Indicates mortality or the temporary nature of earthly existence in contrast to divine beings.^[2] (2) The inevitable condition shared by both the giver and taker of a cow, emphasizing their mortality.^[3]

From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

(1) The idea that the mind, through its wishes and thought processes, is connected with the cycle of life and death.^[4]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance of Subject to death in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):

Vaishnavism Books

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) A recognition that human life is transient and inevitably leads to death, prompting the need for spiritual endeavor before it is too late.^[5]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance of Subject to death in Vedanta (school of philosophy):

Vedanta Books

From: Katha Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary

(1) The condition of being destined to experience mortality and the associated cycles of grief, such as birth and death.^[6]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Last Updated: 22 October, 2024