Human birth occurs after residing in the mother’s womb for nine months. Similarly, some events start happening nine months before death, indicating this fact. These indications are so subtle that we do not pay attention to them in our daily lives. And when death approaches suddenly, it is realized that it is now too late, and many tasks remain incomplete. In such a situation, the mind begins to wander in the last moments, and at the time of death, there is an experience of distress. According to the scriptures, if the mind remains calm and free from desires at the time of death, then the soul leaves the body without suffering, and such an individual experiences happiness in the afterlife.
Astrologer Pandit Jaygovind Shastri explains that according to Indian Yoga science, the human body has seven chakras. Sahasrara: the crown chakra, Ajna: the third-eye chakra, Vishuddha: the throat chakra, Anahata: the heart chakra, Manipura: the solar plexus chakra, Svadhisthana: the sacral chakra, and Muladhara: the root chakra. When a person leaves their life force, the soul exits the body through one of these chakras.
According to yogis, ascetics, and scriptures, as the time of death approaches, activities in the navel chakra start first. The navel chakra, also known as the Manipur Dhyan Chakra, begins to disintegrate. The navel is the central point of the body where the formation of the body begins at birth. It is from this point that the separation of the life force from the body commences. Hence, the initial signal of approaching death can be felt near the navel chakra.
“It doesn’t break in a day; the process of breaking continues for a long time, and as the chakras break, several other signs of approaching death start to appear.
When death approaches, a person’s nose stops being visible.
The experiences and signs before death have been mentioned in several scriptures. The Garuda Purana, Surya Aruna Samvada, Samudra Shastra, and Kapalik Samhita are considered the main sources.These scriptures have mentioned that as the time of death approaches, a person starts receiving various signs indicating that the time to relinquish the body is nearing.
As per these scriptures, the most prominent sign when death is near is that a person’s nose becomes invisible.
With birth, every individual brings several lines in their palm. Palmistry claims that these lines are inscribed by Brahma, indicating a person’s lifespan.
Palmists predict the future by observing and studying these lines. If you closely examine the lines on your palm, you will find that these lines change periodically. When you are seriously ill, the lines become faint. The Samudra Shastra states that as death approaches, the lines on the palm become indistinct and so light that they are barely visible.” The passage discusses various signs and omens associated with death, as per the teachings of Jyotish Shastra and scriptures like Garuda Purana, Shiv Purana, and others. Here’s the English translation:
“According to Jyotish Shastra Pandit Jayagovind, just as we eagerly prepare for and welcome a new member entering our household, similarly, when a person is about to embark on the journey to the afterlife, their ancestors and departed souls are excited, preparing for the arrival of a new member in their world.
Hence, those nearing death often sense the presence of shadows around them. They frequently witness their ancestors and deceased individuals. Sometimes, this realization becomes so profound that it induces fear. Jyotish Shastra suggests that a weakened Manipur Chakra leads to a decrease in self-power, resulting in such experiences for the individual. Pandit Jayagovind mentions that Dream Interpretation indicates forthcoming events. Both Surya Aruna Samvada and Dream Interpretation suggest that when death approaches, a person begins to have ominous dreams.
A person may witness themselves riding a donkey in their dream, signifying the journey. Seeing deceased individuals or ancestors in a dream is also an indication of impending death. Observing oneself without a head in a dream is another sign of approaching death.
It’s said that a shadow always accompanies a person. Often, people notice their shadows around them. However, as per Samudra Shastra and Surya Aruna Samvada, when a person’s soul starts preparing to depart, the shadow also leaves.
It’s not that the shadow doesn’t form at that time; it does, but the individual loses the ability to see their own shadow because their sight weakens. Garuda Purana states that when death is imminent, even a person sitting close by might not be visible. At such times, the messengers of Yama become visible, instilling fear in the person.
According to Jyotish Shastra Pandit Jayagovind, as long as breath exists, life persists. The moment breath ceases, the person is declared dead. Thus, the foundation of life is breath, from birth till death, breath remains continuous.
No one can increase or decrease breath. Attempting to control it may momentarily pause breath, but life has no authority over breath.
Garuda Purana says that as long as the cycle of life continues, breath flows in a straight manner. However, when a person’s death nears, their breath starts flowing upwards or in reverse.
Shiv Purana describes these 12 omens of death:
1. According to Shiv Purana, if a person cannot determine directions even after seeing the planets, feels restless, their death occurs within six months.
2. If blue flies suddenly surround a person, their life is left with only a month.
3. Shiv Purana states that if birds like vultures, crows, or pigeons perch on someone’s head, that person dies within a month.
4. If a person’s body suddenly turns pale or yellow, with red marks visible, they’ll die within six months. If the mouth, ears, eyes, or tongue stop functioning correctly, according to Shiv Purana, death occurs within six months.
5. If a person sees a dark or red circle around the sun and moon, their death occurs within 15 days. If they cannot see the Arundhati star or the moon within a month, they’ll die soon.
6. If a person’s nose starts bleeding due to an imbalance of Tridosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), they’ll survive no more than fifteen days. If their mouth and throat repeatedly dry up, their life will end within six months.
7. If a person’s shadow disappears from fire, oil, ghee, or a mirror, they have less than six months to live. If they cannot see their shadow or see themselves without a shadow, they won’t survive for more than a month.
8. If the left hand of a person twitches continuously for a week, they have only a month left. If all their limbs start trembling and the soles dry up, the person will live only for a month.
9. If a person doesn’t see Dhruva (Polaris) or the sun and moon are eclipsed by Rahu, and all directions appear to be spinning, their life won’t exceed six months.
10. Shiv Purana suggests that if a person sees the sun and moon surrounded by Rahu (appearing black) and feels surrounded by complete darkness, their life will end within six months.
11. A person who doesn’t hear the fearful sounds of hunters behind deer, as mentioned in Shiv Purana, dies within six months. If they cannot see the Saptarishi stars in the sky, their life also ends within six months.
12. As per Shiv Purana, if a person can’t see the light of fire and sees blackness all around, their life ends within six months.”
These teachings from ancient scriptures describe various signs and omens believed to indicate the proximity of death.