According to the teachings in Chapter 43, birth is defined as the union of the body and senses, while death is their separation. For most, these events are inseparable and define the span of life. However, for great souls who incarnate by their own will for the welfare of devotees, birth and death are considered false imaginations. The text explains that for someone who has spiritually transcended the physical form, turning the body to ashes in a metaphorical sense even while alive, death holds no fear and is like dust before them. As Chapter 43 states, death is a characteristic of the body, but for these enlightened beings, it does not touch their true, eternal nature.
What is the philosophical perspective on birth and death presented in the text, and how does it differ for ordinary people versus enlightened beings?
📖 Chapter 43