How Even The Gods May Fall
Whoever has accumulated much merit, after his rebirth in the
Deva-realms [heavenly planes of gods], lives there till the end of
the life-span of that realm is attained. If, however, the force of
the meritorious deed [good karma] that caused his rebirth onto that
realm [which is limited] is exhausted before the end of the
life-span of that realm, is reached, he dies [and resume rebirth
within Samsara, if not yet enlightened]. Some devas sometimes so
indulge themselves in the pleasures and enjoyments of the
Deva-realms, that they forget to take their food at the due and
proper time. Consequently, at last, they come in for a fainting fit
and then pass away. Some others die due to extreme anger caused by
jealousy against another’s prosperity. That is because their subtle
bodies cannot endure the burning that their anger generates within
themselves, so their bodies are consumed and wither. (This
description is given in the story of Ghosaka in the commentary of
the Dhammapada.)
In describing the actual manner in which death occurs in these
Deva-realms, we are told that when death is approaching and a deva
is destined to fall away (die), five signs of warning are shown to
him: (1) His garland fades, (2) his garments become soiled, (3)
sweat exudes from his arm pits, (4) his body becomes ill-coloured,
and (5) he feels no delight in his seat even as he remains
seated.
It is also of interest and significance to note that from the
moment of birth in a Deva-realm to the moment of death, neither the
decaying and breaking of teeth, nor the greying of hair seems to
occur. A heavenly female being (devi) for instance, maintains the
appearance of a sixteen year old maiden all throughout her life,
and a male has the appearance of a twenty year old youth. At the
last moments preceding death, however, their bodies lose their
colour, they feel exhausted and faint. Up to this last moment they
never feel tired. When they near death, they begin to yawn… Only a
few of the devas who are the wisest among them know what is about
to happen… When devas die, their mansions too vanish and no residue
remains, just as when a piece of camphor is burnt.
[Editor: As such, the mere doing of good to create merits for
heavenly rebirths is dangerous, while the safest place for rebirth
is a Buddha's Pure Land, where enlightenment will be eventual,
where there is no possibility of sensual indulgence, rise of
defilements like anger, spiritual complacency, ageing, disease or
untimely death.]
http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/09/how-even-the-gods-may-fall/
