Chinna Katha 28

Chinna Katha – Vishnu

Somu read Garuda Puranam and was scared of the punishments quoted therein. He wanted to escape the punishment from Yama. He consulted many pundits. They told if he escaped the Yama Pasam (the Yama's noose), he could save himself. Yama throws only one time his Pasam. If one escapes it, Yama will not throw his noose on him again. He will be free from death and consequently free from Yama's punishments.

Somu thought of a brilliant idea to confuse Yama. He ordered for hundred idols, which look exactly like him. Even his wife got confused.

The final day dawned; Somu was on his last legs. He was kept between the 100 idols. Yama came there to take away his Prana. Yama was taken aback to see many Somus. He was in an utter confusion. Totally perplexed, he wanted to leave the place leaving Somu alive. Yama said to himself" Somu did everything perfectly but committed a small mistake". What's that mistake? Pat, replied Somu from among the 100 Somu like alike – idols. "This is the mistake "Yama said and through his noose and took the Prana of Somu.

jatasya hi dhruvo mrtyur
dhruvam janma mrtasya ca
tasmad apariharye 'rthe
na tvam socitum arhasi

Synonyms

jatasya--of one who has taken his birth; hi--certainly; dhruvah--a fact; mrtyuh--death; dhruvam--it is also a fact; janma--birth; mrtasya--of the dead; ca--also; tasmat--therefore; apariharye--of that which is unavoidable; arthe--in the matter; na--do not; tvam--you; socitum—to lament; arhasi--deserve.

Translation

One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.

Like a medicine from a factory we entered this mundane world with an expiry date. Let's not postpone our spiritual endeavor.