Two Souls

Out of the two struggling with life, one of their souls accepted the death of the body, while the other had decided to keep it alive. The soul who decided to continue living in the body (Jeevatma) said with pride to the one who accepted death (Mrutatma), “You lived like a fighter all your life, but finally I emerged as the real fighter. I am still bravely fighting with the excruciating pain, but haven’t given up as yet.”

To this Mrutatma replied, “I congratulate you for this. But how can you say that I am not a fighter? The body owned by me had crossed its limits to bear all sufferings, and realizing that the body will never be able to have a healthy living, I made the courageous move of relieving it from the suffering.”

Jeevatma haughtily said, “I too undergo unbearable pain, yet I haven’t accepted the death of this body, because I love this life and know its worth.”

Mrutatma refuted, “The real reason for you to not accept death is your love/obsession over the body or your fear of the journey ahead which is more daunting than your suffering? Anyway, who are you to judge that the one who chooses life in testing times is great; and the one accepting death is the loser?”

Jeevatma consciously agreed to what Mrutatma said. He was confused.

Sensing his conflict, Mrutatma consoled, “You will get the answers of these questions once you try finding them. But according to me, I don’t agree that choosing life when knowing that the pain will never end is courageous and accepting death is cowardice. Fear is responsible to all of this. So much of our fear is illusive. A man fears being alone. He doesn’t want his existence to perish, and through the medium of his children and the lineage he leaves, he wishes to stay alive! And you are just a mere representative of the living body of this man.”

Jeevatma now thoroughly understood the meaning of Mrutatma’s words and realized how futile his resolution was. Jeevatma now consciously wanted to make a decision. It now had the potential to make the right choice.