namahatta.org - Congregational Development Ministry

Young children are also tormented in many ways in this age. Suicide among children has increased dramatically in recent years because they are being born not to loving, religious parents but to degraded, selfish men and women. In fact, children are often born because a birth-control pill, a prophylactic or some other contraceptive device malfunctioned. Under such conditions, it is very difficult nowadays for parents to morally guide their children. Generally ignorant of spiritual science, parents cannot lead their children on the path of liberation and thus fail to fulfill their primary responsibility in family life.

As predicted in this verse, adultery has become common, and people in general are extremely concerned with eating and sex, which they consider far more important than knowing the Absolute Truth. SB 12.3.42

In the area of Wales I live in there have been over 17 suicides of young teenagers within a short period of time, this has a big effect on the smaller valley communities that are close-knit. Most of those within this age group that I talk to have had a friend or know of someone at the school they attend who has committed suicide.

In a society were we are told we can have it all if we work hard. Were we are taught not about Dharma and the dangers of cow and animal killing but how to gain the most out of life to fulfil our own needs desires and pleasure. Therefore due to these uncontrolled desire we should not be surprised that there is an atmosphere were our young ones find it hard to cope and see suicide as the only way.

The sad thing is that because spiritual life is not taught the consequence of taking any life especially that of our own is little understood; nether are the consequences: A confused, frustrated man cannot get relief by committing suicide because suicide will simply lead him to take birth in the lower species of life or to remain a ghost, unable to attain a gross material body. SB 4.26.10

So what happens to those who commit suicide and who is responsible for taking care of them?

The last resort of the ghostly characters in human society is to take shelter of suicide, either material or spiritual. Material suicide causes loss of the physical body, and spiritual suicide causes loss of the individual identity. Mayavadi philosophers desire to lose their individuality and merge into the impersonal spiritual brahmajyoti existence. Lord Siva, being very kind to the ghosts, sees that although they are condemned, they get physical bodies. He places them into the wombs of women who indulge in sexual intercourse regardless of the restrictions on time and circumstance.
SB 3.14.24

It is sad that although there is great concern and good attention the issue is not seen within the context of dharma, thus the solutions will meet with limited success. As stated: A confused, frustrated man cannot get relief by committing suicide because suicide will simply lead him to take birth in the lower species of life or to remain a ghost, unable to attain a gross material body. Therefore the perfect course is to retire altogether from sinful activities and take up Krsna consciousness. In this way one can become completely perfect and go back home, back to Godhead.
SB 4.26.10

(All quotes are from purports; not from the direct translations or texts)