HYMN OF THE DYING MAN.
The following remarkable verses are to be uttered on the death-bed. They are the last three verses of the Upanishad from which they are translated.
1.
SOLE Rishi! Pûshan! glorious Yama!1 God of day! withdraw thy rays, And let me once more view thy splendour,— View it with my closing eyes! Let me once more view the light, The gladsome light that dwells in thee! Th’ Almighty Light which you reflect,— Th’ Almighty Soul, it dwells in me!
2.
My breath will mingle with the air, To ashes turn this mortal frame, Then turn, my soul, recall each deed, Each action done of praise or blame. My hours of life are almost past, And steals o’er me the hand of death, Then think, my soul, of actions done, Ere yet I yield this fleeting breath!
3.
Agni! friend of dying mortals,2 Lead me by the righteous path, Let me win thy gracious blessings, Let me shun thy mighty wrath! Lead me by the righteous path, In this last momentous hour, Reverently I bend to Agni, In him—worship Brahman’s power!
From the Îsâ Upanishad.