I am afraid of dying — what does Gurbani say about the fear of death?

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“O mother, I hear of death, and think of it, and I am filled with fear.” (Guru Arjan, Ang 529) “Afraid of fear, and living in fear, the mind is held in tumult. ||1||Pause||” (Guru Nanak, Ang 151) “Gazing upon the world-ocean, I am afraid of death; but if I live in the Fear of You, God, then I am not afraid.” (Guru Amardas, Ang 1087) “Meditating, meditating in remembrance on the Lord, I am rid of the fear of death. ||3||” (Guru Arjan, Ang 200) “Why should I be afraid of death? I have invited death for myself. ||71||” (Bhagat Kabir, Ang 1368) These lines acknowledge fear and then offer several ways of understanding it. Guru Arjan in Raag Dayv Gandhaaree on Ang 529 openly voices the anxiety that arises merely from hearing and thinking about death, so the fear is not dismissed as unreal. Guru Nanak’s Rahao line in Raag Gauree on Ang 151 identifies the mind’s repeated fear of fear as a source of inner turmoil; as the central pause-line, it focuses attention on that mental cycle. Guru Amardas in Raag Maaroo on Ang 1087 reframes worldly fear through reverent awareness of the Divine: fear of death recedes when life is grounded in that deeper awe. Guru Arjan in Raag Gauree on Ang 200 connects release from death-fear with sustained remembrance of the Divine. Bhagat Kabir’s salok on Ang 1368 expresses a still more radical readiness to face death without fear; it should be read as spiritual acceptance, not as an instruction to hasten death. Together, the selections move from honestly recognizing anxiety, through understanding the mind’s turmoil and practicing remembrance, toward acceptance and fearlessness.

I am afraid of dying — what does Gurbani say about the fear of death?

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