Devotee: Hello, Doctor.

Doctor: Hello, Sir .

Devotee: Doctor, did you get my latest report ?

Doctor: Yeah, sorry to tell you - but you won't be able to survive more than one month. You won't be able to battle with this cancer anymore.

It was shocking news for this devotee who had spent most of his life in Krsna's service. He felt ditched by Krsna and he was really in trouble. He felt like calling Krsna to come in front of Him, so that he could ask for the fruits of all his chanting and devotional service.

"Hey Krishna - I did so much chanting and devotional service. I never thought of my own rest and luxuries - I spent my whole life serving You.. is this the way you reciprocate with your devotees? Now I have just one month to sort out everything in my life."

Being so depressed he went home and didn't tell anyone anything. He performed his evening devotional services and then went to his room. He started showing dis-belief in Krishna just because of material misery.

Somehow he fell sleep, but in the middle of the night he saw a strong light in his room.

Devotee: Who is this?

Voice: Come on - Don't be so angry with me.

Devotee: Who are you?

Voice: I am your Krishna consciousness.

Devotee: Krishna consciousness? ?

Voice : Yeah - It's Me - your Krishna consciousness. After learning about your death notice you forgot about me for a while - so I have come here to wake you up again.

The devotee cried like anything.

Devotee: Dear Krsna consciousness - All glories to you. I am so happy to speak with you.

Voice: Dear devotee - I know that you are not happy. You are still distressed.

Devotee: Yeah - I am. I'm not able to grasp a few things.

Voice: Which few things?

Devotee: I spent half of my life in Krishna's service and what have I received? A cancer-prone death notice!! Was there any flaw in my service to Krishna?

Voice: Dear devotee - You are a very dear soul to Krishna, as you have received a prior death notice.

Devotee: Fortunate? On what basis you are telling that I am a dear soul to Krishna?

Voice: Do you remember about Pariksit Maharaj?

Devotee: Yeah... I do.

Voice: The Srimad Bhagavatam, which is an all-auspicious form of the Lord, came to us because of this particular inevitable notice of death to Pariksit Maharaj. He only had seven days. In contrast to how materialistic people think, Pariksit Maharaj was very grateful that the Lord had given him a death notice. This is the exemplary position of a pure devotee.

Devotee: Oh, Ok.

Voice: Srila Prabhupada describes in his transcendental purport to SB 1.19.14 the reasons for the death notice for Pariksit Maharaj:

Although Pariksit was born in a family of devotees,

Although thoroughly trained in transcendental attachment to the association of the Lord,

He still found the allurement of mundane family life very strong (hrdaya granthih). Therefore he had to be detached by the plan of the Lord

The Voice continued...

Voice: Srila Prabhupada stated that nothing comes by chance. Everything is planned by Krishna. Similarly Krishna has given you a chance by giving you a prior notice of death. Think about this - if death comes suddenly, it may be difficult for you to think about Krishna at the time of your death. Actually Krishna wants you back in his abode. So You are fortunate to know that your death is coming. Now de-attach yourself from everything and just remember Krishna.

Devotee: Wow!

Voice: The Bhagavad-Gita (8.6) explains that it is possible for us to enter the spiritual kingdom simply by thinking of the Supreme Lord at the time of our death:

"Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his present body, in his next life he will attain to that state without fail."

So if you remember Krishna at the time of your death, then you will surely attain Krishna.

Devotee: You mean... that now that I know about my death... without wasting a single moment I can chant Krishna's holy names and meditate on Him?

Voice: Here you go.

Devotee: Dear Krishna consciousness - That's so merciful! But why suffer from cancer?

Voice: Dear Devotee - No one knows Krishna's plan till it gets executed. But think in this way, that Krishna has already decided the Law of Karma and everyone has to suffer their Karma. To do a special favor to His devotee, Krishna gave you a death notice and simultaneously allowed you to finish your Karma's results - so that you won't need to come back to this awful material world again.

Devotee: It's good for me to think like that. Now I am sure that Krishna has great plans for me.

Voice: Come on! Now get ready for Krishna's Abode. Try to detach yourself from materialism as much as you can. Srila Prabhupada gave three easy guidelines which we should follow in all circumstances, for successful execution of our spiritual life.

1) Always be faithful to the Lord.

2) Always be guided by Vaisnavas and Brahmans.

3) Always follow the religious principles, based on their guidance.

If this is the aim of our life, then our life will become wonderful.

Devotee: Thank you, my dear Krishna consciousness. Now I can invest more time in Krishna's service. I am so sorry for having lost wisdom during this time.

Voice: That's why Krishna was worried and sent me to help you.

Devotee: Dear Krishna consciousness - please convey my huge thanks to Krishna. I am so fortunate to know and love Krishna. He is so merciful. Tell Him my thanks and please wash His lotus feet on my behalf. When I am with him in Goloka Vrindavana I wish to do all kinds of services for Him. Tell Him sorry for my being so immature. Please re-assure Him that I won't raise any doubts about the promises which he has already made in the Bhagavad-gita.

Voice: Ok!Hare Krsna!

Devotee: Hare Krsna!