How To Avoid Fear of Death, Abhinivesh

The great Yogi Patanjali in his work, "Yogasutra," has written, "This fear of death may remain in a very subtle manner in mind, but this is worth discarding." This means as a tiny seed which has fallen on ground germinates and becomes a huge tree, so the seed of fear of death becomes deadly at an opportune time. So this fear is worth discarding or one should give up fear of death completely.

1. Like things attract each other. We attract that which we fear most or always think about. One who fears and always thinks about snakes gets frightened by seeing a rope in the darkness and may even become unconscious. Similarly one who thinks about ghosts gets frightened by looking a man in darkness, accepting him as ghost. One who fears infection and disease always remains ill and sick. Similarly he who thinks about death shortens his lifespan.
2. False religious instructions. People fear death because they have been taught by their religious leaders that one who takes birth must die sooner or later. Life and death are in the hands of God and men are mere mortals. Contrary to this, Patanjali advises people to give up fear of death completely from their mind. It shouldn't be there even in subtle manner and if it is there, it is worth discarding. So this implies that one may live so long as one wishes. Body is the manifestation of the mind. If the mind is fresh, youthful and well, the body shall be youthful and well.
3. Death is dead and lifeless. In a jail one who has a life sentence remains under constant fear of death. His body becomes weak and sick. But those who visit jail for charity don't fear death. They visit jail according to their wish, perform charity and return back happily. Similarly a true Yogi lives on Earth happily so long as he wishes. He lives for the well-being of others. Ordinary men who listen to false knowledge (avidya) of religious leaders become helpless as they grow old fearing imminent danger of disease and death. Death is dead and lifeless; so how can it take life? Death is under life. On Earth, immortal life is flowing. So one should give up fear of death.

 Hence the duty of every free man is to develop true knowledge (vidya) by practicing Yoga and to give up the false notion of death.