Question


Can it happen that the length of a man’s life somehow becomes reduced during a man’s lifetime, and so one has to die before he was

destined initially?

Answer


Since I am not entirely satisfied with the answers and comments to my question I decided to compose the answer.

Yes it can happen that the length of a man's life somehow becomes reduced during a man's lifetime, and so one has to die before he was destined initially. There are statements in the scriptures about that.

It is said in the Manu-smriti, chapter 5:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu.htm

  1. Righteous Bhrigu, the son of Manu, (thus) answered the great sages: 'Hear, (in punishment) of what faults Death seeks to shorten the lives of Brahmanas!'

  2. 'Through neglect of the Veda-study, through deviation from the rule of conduct, through remissness (in the fulfilment of duties), and through faults (committed by eating forbidden) food, Death becomes eager to shorten the lives of Brahmanas.'

See also in the Vishnu Purana, Book III: Chapter XI,
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp085.htm

"He who commits adultery is punished both here and hereafter; for his days in this world are cut short, and when dead he falls into hell."

In those verses "shorten the lives" and "his days in this world are cut short" talks about the length of a man's life becomes reduced during a man's lifetime, and so one has to die before he was destined initially. This is also evident from the statement "He ... is punished both here and hereafter", namely he is even punished here in this world the way that the length of his lifetime becomes reduced, and thus he will not reach the predetermined duration of a lifetime.
This predetermined duration of a man's life can be reduced if a person commits some kind of offense, fault or a sin during the life.


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