Messenger of Death

I came across the statement of the Russian former spy Alexander Litvinenko that he dictated 2 days before his death at University College Hospital in London on Tuesday 21 November 2006. Litvinenko writes how he can see the Messengers of Death and how they are ready to take his soul away:

"I would like to thank many people. My doctors, nurses and hospital staff who are doing all they can for me, the British police who are pursuing my case with vigour and professionalism and are watching over me and my family.

I would like to thank the British government for taking me under their care. I am honoured to be a British citizen.

I would like to thank the British public for their messages of support and for the interest they have shown in my plight.

I thank my wife Marina, who has stood by me. My love for her and our son knows no bounds.

But as I lie here I can distinctly hear the beating of wings of the angel of death.

I may be able to give him the slip but I have to say my legs do not run as fast as I would like... "
(Read Full Article)

Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee tells us that death will come to us all one day and when that day comes the Messenger's of Death shall grab the soul and take it to the Dargaah of Akaal Purakh (the Court of the Immortal Lord).

ਮਤ ਹਰਿ ਵਿਸਰਿਐ ਜਮ ਵਸਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥
Maṯ har visri­ai jam vas pāhi.
If you forget the Lord, you will fall into the clutches of the Messenger of Death.

ਅੰਤ ਕਾਲਿ ਮੂੜੇ ਚੋਟ ਖਾਹਿ ॥੭॥
Anṯ kāl mūṛė cẖot kẖāhi. ||7||
At that very last moment, you fool, you shall be beaten. ||7||
(Ang 1189)

Guru jee says that only those souls are saved from the Messengers of Death who Jap Naam (meditate on the Lord's Name):

ਮੂੜ੍ਹ੍ਹੇ ਕਾਹੇ ਬਿਸਾਰਿਓ ਤੈ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ॥
Mūṛĥė kāhė bisāri­o ṯai rām nām.
You fool! How can you have forgotten the Lord's Name?

ਅੰਤ ਕਾਲਿ ਤੇਰੈ ਆਵੈ ਕਾਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Anṯ kāl ṯėrai āvai kām. ||1|| rahā­o.||
At the very last moment, it and it alone shall be of any use to you. ||1||Pause||
(Ang 1189)

This reminded of someone who died a few years ago. My mum told me that when she went to do afsos (paying condolence) at the family's house, the mother of the man who died said she was with her son when he died. The man was an alcoholic and was in intensive care. He was placed in a room by himself. His mother was with him before he died and she said that her son was screaming and shouting to his mother, "They have come to get me... Save me! Get them away." His mother replied that "No one is here. It's just me. What are you scared of." He said that his bed was surrounded with growling black dogs who were trying to snatch him away. Soon after the man passed away. When my mum came home and told me this, I was shocked. We all read Gurbaani and Guru jee reminds us of the consequences of our actions but it never hits home.

ਰਾਮੁ ਸਿਮਰੁ ਪਛੁਤਾਹਿਗਾ ਮਨ ॥
Rām simar pacẖẖuṯāhigā man.
Meditate in remembrance on the Lord, or else you will regret it in the end, O mind.

ਪਾਪੀ ਜੀਅਰਾ ਲੋਭੁ ਕਰਤੁ ਹੈ ਆਜੁ ਕਾਲਿ ਉਠਿ ਜਾਹਿਗਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Pāpī jī­arā lobẖ karaṯ hai āj kāl uṯẖ jāhigā. ||1|| rahā­o.||
O sinful soul, you act in greed, but today or tomorrow, you will have to get up and leave. ||1||Pause||
(Ang 1106 - Read Full Shabad)

Gurbaani tells us that those Jap Naam and take the support of Guru jee are not approached by the Messenger of Death:

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਮਕਾਲੁ ਨੇੜਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥
Gurmukẖ jamkāl nėṛ na āvai.
The Messenger of Death does not even approach the Gurmukhs.
(Ang 231)

I remember reading the Jeevans (life stories) and accounts of Great Gursikhs passing away and how they are described of smiling or looking peaceful and them describing angelic looking Gursikhs coming to receive the soul to take it to the Court of Waheguru. Sat Naam, Waheguru. One eye-witness account of a Gursikh's death that I came across is of Bhai Randheer Singh jee, which you can read on this link. According to what we believe, say and act in this life, at the moment of death that will flash before our eyes and that will manifest itself into the messengers to take us to the next life.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਲਾਹਾ ਲੈ ਗਏ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਚਲੇ ਮੂਲੁ ਗਵਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੧੯॥
Gurmukẖ lāhā lai ga­ė manmukẖ cẖalė mūl gavā­ė jī­o. ||19||
The Gurmukhs reap their profits and leave, while the self-willed manmukhs lose their investment and depart. ||19||
(Ang 74)

May Guru Sahib do kirpaa on us all and bless us with Gursikhi Jeevan and Naam.