pralay

PRALAY (TOTAL DISTRUCTION)
“Wasansi jeernaani yathaa vihaay nawaani grihnaati naroparaani; tathaa shareeraani vihaay jeernaanyanyaani sanjaati navaani dehee.” When our clothes become old, we change them and become pleased. Similar should be the case with the body. We should be cheerful with the pleasant feeling that old diseased body will be changed and a new body will be replaced. But, the situation is different. We become aggrieved hearing the name of death. This is because all worldly relations are with this body. Once one leaves his body, none will like to continue the relation with the soul. All fear with the soul (ghost). Everyone tries to burn the body as soon as possible. Just after the funeral ceremony, people take bath and give tilanjali (having sesame, kusha and water in the hand and offering to the departed soul). It is symbolic to detach (break) all relations from the dead person.
The name ‘pralay’ is very fearful. We become afraid hearing the name. Nevertheless, in the broad sense, it is nothing but mass death (destruction). Like individual’s death, mass destruction is necessary. When the society becomes old i.e. it is captured by rotten customs, replacement becomes essential. We should not live in garbage. The garbage must be burnt. The old rotten traditions must be replaced by the new. We get rid of our defects (sins).
This is neither pessimistic nor suicidal view. This is like falling of ripe fruits, getting rid of old diseases, defeating stronger enemy in the battle and like pleasure after getting rid of fearful dreams when awakened.