Srila Prabhupada writes that a miserly person is one who dies without realizing God. Such a waste of human life. And he quotes that the greatest tragedy there is, is a moment lost in this human form of life. King Katwanga, he attained the ultimate perfection in one moment. This story is the importance of time. He was assisting the devatas in a great war against the asuras and he fought so valiantly, for many days, weeks, months without sleeping and he helped win the war and the devaatas asked, “any benediction you like? whatever was within our power we will give you.” They could give wealth, they could give mystic sidhis, they could give unbelievable powers, they could give planets. Maharaj Katwanga only asked for one thing, “tell me when I'm going to die? Because I want to prepare myself.” Such sincerity. If you were asked any benediction that the demigods could give, you can ask for a bank account where you never have to work again; you could ask for a beautiful home where you have maids and maid servants where you never have to even pick up a thing, all you have to do is just enjoy; you can ask for a lifespan that's thousands of years, demigods can give you that; you can ask for beauty or strength that will just mesmerise the whole society; you could be a champion; anything, anything, just use your imagination. But Maharaja Khatvanga all he wanted is one thing, “tell me what I’m going to die? Because I want to be prepared.” This is significant.
