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Tag: Hindu Funeral

  • Hindu Death Ceremony Days 2 to 9 Daaha Thaapa Upachamanam

    The ceremonies performed after collection of bones/ashes and immersion in the sea,the Rites of Hinduism addresses three issues.

    Seasame seeds. Image

    1.The Saisfying of the Pretha,the subtle body that remains after the body is turned to ashes and immersion in the sea.

    2.The gradual process of making the Pretha getting disgusted with what is offered and moving/joining ancestors.

    3.The process of purification of Home and the relatives from the impurities attached to Death and the attendant ceremonies.

    As explained in the last article,the Subtle body,Pretha remains after life is snuffed out and the physical frame becomes Sava and is cremated.

    The Pretha,without the medium of Body is unable to satisfy its urges.

    (It may be noted that the Subtle body,when Life is present is called Sookshma Sarrera and is nourished by what we eat.It becomes Pretha only after Death).

    There are two cravings in any Human Beings in terms of what they experience.

    Daaha and Thaapa.

    Daaha may lossely translated as Urge,Thirst,Obsessive Desire to enjoy.

    Thaapa is anguish,disappointment,frustration in not getting what one desires.

    These two are resolved,to a limited degree,when one is alive,has body.

    Even if what one desires does not materialize,one has mind,when alive,to understand and compromise.

    Pretha,with no body and mind can not do this.

    However the urge,Daaha and Thaapa remain with it.

    It is to be met if the,Pretha is to move forward and join the ancestors.

    The death ceremonies of Hindus ,from Day one to thirteen address these.

    On the day of death,at the cremation ground,after consigning the body to flames,the son of the deceased makes a rough sketch of human body with sand on the ground.

    The Pretha is made to come into this,by chanting mantras requesting the,Pretha to come in and accept what is offered.

    Water,Tender Coconut Water and Seasame seeds with Water are offered to the Pretha in the Human sketch formed on the ground.

    After immersion of ashes in the sea,the Pretha is made to descend in a small stone placed in a corner at the home of the deceased.

    A small area is selected inside the house,where the deceased lived,roughly one foot by one foot,the area is paved with sand and a thatch of Coconut leaf is placed as the roof.

    The son offers water,water and Seasameseeds to the Pretha in the stone daily.

    Water is offered to quench Daaha and meet with desires of the Pretha .

    Sea same seeds with water is offered to satisfy Thaapa, anguish.

    The water and sea same seeds with water is increased every day till the tenth day.

    The Pretha is believed to be hovering around the house till it is sent to join Pitrus, ancestors on the twelfth Day.

  • Hindu Death Ceremonies Day One Two Details Meaning

    Hindu Death Ceremonies Day One Two Details Meaning

    Death is just a hairbreadth away from Life.

    What does happen just before death, at the time of Death and after death?

    For the first two points and signs of Death, according to Hinduism, please read my articles Signs of Death,Hinduism.

    What does Hinduism say on Life just afer death?

    Soul has five layers.

    Annamaya Kosa, the subtle body made of the essence of Food,

    Pranamaya Kosa, of Life’s breath,

    Manomaya Kosa, made of mind’s impressions,

    Vignanamaya Kosa, the subtle reposited impressions of Knowledge and

    Gnanamaya Kosa, the level of wisdom, discerned knowledge.

    The last one Anandamaya Kosa is an immediate Attribute of BrahmanThe Reality.

    When all the other Kosas( sheaths) , except Gnanamaya Kosa are dissipitated, the Gnanamaya Kosa gets merged, in case of Realized Souls, with Brahman or the knowledge that it is different from Brahman disappears.

    The Death ceremonies conducted for the first twelve Days in Hinduism, more specifically in the case of Brahmins,relate to these aspects.

    Once the life leaves the body it becomes Sava,without Auspiciosness,Shiva.

    The human body has two aspects,Sthula,Gross and Sookshma,Subtle.

    The physical frame is the gross aspect of Atman.

    Sookshma Sareera,Subtle body is a conglomeration of  the essence(Rasa) of Food(Anna),Prana(life energy),Mind(Manas),Knowledge(Vigyana) and Consciousness(Ananda).

    All these subtle aspects draw their nourishment from the  Five Gross elements,Earth,Water,Fire,Air and Ether(Prithvi,Appu,Agni,Vayu and Akasha).

    Each of these subtle essences nourish the body and facilitates the enjoyment,both pleasant and unpleasant,depending on one’s actions,Karma,by the Unrealized.

    Once Life ebbs away,the physical frame called Sava is cremated and the subtle body is called Pretha.

    The functions of the Sava ceases but the subtle body,Pretha remains,though it remains invisible.

    On the day of death,after the ceremonies are conducted at home ,officially christening the body as Pretha,washing it,removing everything worn,adorning with Vibhuthi or appropriate castemark,declaring the son and if the deceased had no son,the one who shall conduct the Andhima Karma,Final Rites is designated as such, along with symbolic fire which was lit as soon as the person died,the body is moved to the Crematorium,with the Grandson/s showing the light with a torch.

    At the crematorium,the body,before consigning to flames,is addressed as Pretha by the son,thanking the person for bringing up the children,declaring that the son would perform all Karmas to enable the Sookshma sareea to join the ancestors.

    At the crematorium the body which has sprung from the five elements,Earth,Water,Fire,Air and Ether is retuned.

    The body is laid on the ground and rites are performed and mantras chanted returning the body to Earth.

    Water is filled ( half pot),son walks around the body in an anticlockwise direction three times,a hole is made in the pot at each perambulation(total three) and water is allowed to flow to the earth signifying the return to Water.

    Fire is lit from the brazier to the body returning it to Fire in the condition the body came into being,that is bereft of anything.

    Air,Vayu is worshipped along with Aakasa,Ether praying they take their composition in the body.

    Food, in the form of Rice is offered to the body by relatives as the last food offered to the body stating that further food will be for the subtle body.

    If the Thithi when cremating is different from the Thithi when death occurred,the ashes/bones are collected by the son wearing Kandankathri Vegetable,( which incidentally is an antibiotic to prevent infections from the bones that mat may be found in the ashes),on the day of death and is consigned to ocean.

    There is no Theetu for the first two nazhikai from the time of death(40 minutes)

    The Kartha must take bath after entering house,( he must enter the house  after washing his feet outside the the house,so must the others)

    He should change to fresh Dhoti,not new and take light refreshments,no meals.

    The light which was lit at the time of death near the body must be kept burning till 12th Day ceremony is complete.

    Food is not to be prepared at home and it can be received from relatives.

    Sandhyavandana is not to be performed for the first two days,the day of death and collection/immersion of ashes.

    It has to be performed from day three.

    If collection of Ashes is done on the same day of death,Sandhyavandana may be performed from the next day.

    No other Vaidika Karma must be performed till the 13th day function is over.

    The karmas to be performed from The Third day follows with meaning behind them

  • Death Expenses Upto Thirteen Days Detail

    People are bewildered when it they have to conduct the Final rites of the deceased.

    This is more complex and confusing in the case of Brahmins.

    The reason is that the ceremonies are elaborate in terms of Mantras and the Dhanas/ the giveaways to the deserving are quite many .

    And there are various interpretations.

    Add to this the Sentiment value attached to events, especially Death.

    To top it all you have all and sundry, well meaning though, confuse you.

    So under the circumstances one has to address two major issues.

    1. Mantras and Procedures.

    2.The total expenses.

    Under Mantras and expenses it is suggested that follow the suggestions of the Family Purohit.

    In case you do not have one, contact Srinngeri/Kanchi Mutt for Purohit.

    In places where these Mutts do not have their presence, check out the prominent temple in your city and you shall get the Purohit.

    As to general rules to be followed please check my article Mourning Death Theetu Hindu Rituals.

    As to expenses.

    Thirteen days Rituals are prescribed.

    While the first twelve days are Asubha Kaaryas,the Thirteenth Day is Auspicious, Subha.

    In Hinduism, the Body, after Life has left, is called Sava, the physical body, sans Life.

    However, at the spiritual level, the dead body,Sava is called ‘ Pretha’

    Till the twelfth day the dead remain as Pretha and only after the Pindaas are joined to earlier Pitrus or ancestors, does the Pretha becomes A Pitru.

    On the thirteenth day Subhasweekara/ Gruhayagnya is performed to denote auspiciousness.

    There are rites to be performed from the day of death.

    First day one cremates and on the next day collects the Ashes.

    If the Cremation is done on the next Thithi( on the same day), this may change during the day depending on the Movement of rhe Moon, the Ashes may be collected on the same day of Death.

    Expenses for these two days are approximately Rs. 15, 000/

    This excludes what one may incur at the Cremation ground by way of tips to Cremation ground staff.

    Many cremation grounds offer free service.

    Other wise these expenses will have to be borne.

    Sastras say that the Rites from day one to Thirteen are to be performed at Home.

    However the practice now is to perform at the Gynavapis.

    There are three types of perdorming these Rites.

    Performing Tharpana from day one to ten.

    Second option is to start from day seven.

    And the third is to start on day Nine.

    The approximate expenses from day three to Thirteen is Rs.60,000/.

    This covers ,

    Purohit Fees,

    Gyanavapi Rental,

    Materials for all the Rites, excluding the The Thirteenth day.

    Food for 30 people from day seven to day twelve.

    Dhana includes the following.

    Land as token,

    Umbrella,

    Woollen blanket,

    Chappal,

    Deepa

    Vastra,

    Swarna.

    Cow.

    The above is an indication.

    The fee mentioned includes all the Dhanas.

    So one need not be worried whether one has omitted some.

    If the Purohit does not do the Dhanas after one has given him money, the Sin would accrue to him and not to the Kartha.

    For the Thirteenth day, expenses for Food and Pooja materials(Pooaja materials might cost maximum Rs.500) is to be borne by the householder.

    The thirteenth day rite is to be conducted at Home and not anywhere else.

    The above expenses as obtaining at Chennai in 2017.

    Variation of about 10% is likely elsewhere.

    In effect, expenses for thirteen days Rituals would be around Rs.75, 000/

    This would do for the Karmas.

    Anything above this would be at your convenience.

  • Death Rites Hinduism Part 2 Day 2 To Thirteen

    Death rites as prescribed in Hinduism continues from Part I.

     

    Second Day.

     

    Second day is Sanchayana, the collection of Bones.

     

    Subhasweekaara.

     

    The bones are sprinkled with milk and the bones are picked up by hands wrapping them with Kandankathri herb,Solanum xanthocarpum.

     

    This prevents any wound that may arise accidentally while picking up the bones, as this herb has anti biotic properties.

     

    No shaving is to be done for the Kartha.

     

    Other Sraddhams as mentioned are to be continued as mentioned in the earlier article.

     

    Day 3 to 10.

    The Sraddhams mentioned are to be performed as mentioned earlier.

     

    Day Ten, Dasasthu.

     

    On this day the Gnayatis, from the paternal side,who have not performed the Tharpana fromDay one are to perform 75 Tilodhaka and 75 Vasodhaka Thaarpana.

     

    The Pinda Sarira of the departed is complete.

     

    As the body is restored  hunger and thirst increases manifold.

     

    So large quantities of food is offered by way of Prabhutabali.

     

    Please read my post on this.

     

    The stones in the  two Kundas, used for Tharpana, are disposed off.

     

    On returning Home, the Kartha has to take a shave and bathe.

     

    Shanti Homa and Ananda Homa are performed.

     

    Day Eleven.

     

    Punyahavachanam is performed for the Kartha to purify.

     

    Then Nava Sraddham and Vrushothsagam is performed.

     

    Vrushothsarga is performed with a Bull and Gosuktha is recited and the Bull is left to graze.

     

    The Bull represents Dharma and this kriya helps the departed obtain better worlds.

     

    The Ekothishta Sraddham is performed.

     

    Sixteen such Sraddhams are to be performed in a Year.

     

    The first one is called the Adya Masikam.

     

    Then follows Pinda Pradhanam, followed by bath and Punyahavachana.

     

    Balance 15 Sraddhas are to be performed as detailed below.

     

    Una Masika an any three days from the 27 Day.

     

    Traipakshtham on any five-day period day from the 40th Day.

     

    Unashanmasikam on 10 day period from the 170th day.

     

    Unabhdikamon any 15 day period from the 340th day.

     

    Eleven Anumasikam on the Thithi of death every month for Eleven months.

     

    These are very important and are not to be missed.

     

    Twelfth Day, Sapindikarana.

     

    On the eleventh and Twelfth-day the Preta eats the food offered heartily.

     

    On the eleventh and twelfth day all the Pitrus are present.

     

    Vasu,Father; Rudram, Grand father nd great grand father,Adhitya.(Paternal)

     

    The earliest Pitru leaves the Pitru Loka and leaves for the Swarga and the presently decesed joins the Pitrus as the Vasu.

     

    That is the reason why the Argya (Ekothishta)of the presently deceased and the Agya of the Parvana Sradddha of the forefather’s are mixed.

     

    The pinda of the presently decesed is divided into three parts and mixed with the three pindas of the forefathers.

     

    This is Sapindikaramam.

     

    The three Pindas thus obtained represent the latest Vasu, Rudra and Adhitya.

     

    Danams.

     

    The Yamadhtas drag the body on the thirteenth day .

     

    Tha Size of the Jiva is that of a Thumb.

     

    It is dragged to Samyamini, the city of Yama, Lord of Death.

     

    The distance is 86,00 Yojanas, a Yojana is about 13 Kilometers.

     

    Those who were virtuous cross this easily.

     

    Others suffer.

     

    Traveling is done continuously throughout day and night.

     

    Averagedistance traveled is 270 Yojanas a day.

     

    There are sixteen cities to be crossed along besides rivers , including Vaidharani.

     

    Post follows on Dhanas and descriptions of the cities.

     

    Sodakumbham is performed after Sapindikaranam.

     

    Sastras decalre that this has to be performed every day in the first year.

     

    If it is not possible, it has to be performed at least every month.

     

    Apart from Water , tender Coconut Water is also given on this day.

     

     

    Day Thirteen. Gruha Yagya, Subha Sweekaara.

     

    On this day Auspiciousness is invited by performing Punyahavachana,Udagasanthi and Navagraha Homa  are performed.

     

    After the function is over the kartha is to visit a temple with family members.

     

    The Gruha Yagya is to be performed after the conclusion of the First Abhdika as well.

     

    More On Sraddhas refer to my other posts on Sraddha, Sraddha Samayal.

     

    http://ramanisblog.in/2014/10/13/death-rites-explanation-part-1-hinduism/

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Death Rites Explanation Part 1 Hinduism

    Hinduism postulates that there are five sheaths for a Human Being.

     

    They are ,

     

    Annamaya Kosa,made of the essence of Food,

    Death Rituals Hinduism

     

    Pranamaya Kosa, of Breath,

     

    Manomaya Kosa, of Thoughts,

     

    Vignanamaya Kosa , of Knowledge and

     

    Anandamaya Kosa, of Bliss.

     

    Each of these are nurtured by their respective attributes/source of their Being and together they constitute the Living Human being.

     

    When one dies what is visible to us the lifeless body, which had been nurtured by Food at the Annamaya Kosa Level,by the essence of Food.

     

    After one’s death, it lingers till the twelfth day around the place of Death.

     

    Till the twelfth day Tharpana,called Kuzhi Tharpan,called so because it is performed n a small pit made preferably at the house where the death took place.

     

    Ceremonies for death are conducted till the 12 Day, the thirteenth being Purification,not only for the satisfaction of the Annamaya Kosa, but for the other Kosas,,Prana, Vignana,Manas and Ananda, the last one reminding the Eternal Nature of the Self.

     

    Mantras recited during these twelve days ensure this.

     

    After these ceremonies the Subtle body, Sukshama, enters the Pithru loka, sans the Physical body.

     

    The remnants of the actions performed remain with the Subtle body even after it takes rebirth.

     

    Significance of the Thirteen Day Rituals.

     

    Day One.

     

    The dying man suffers as Death knocks.

     

    One is expected to avoid mundane thoughts and remember God’s name.

     

    So as Death nears, those near are expected to recite Vishnu Sahsranama , Bhagavad Gita near the person’s head.

     

    The son, keeping his parent’s head on his left lap ,recites the Karna Mantra, in the Left ear.

     

    Or the Panchakshara, Om Nama Sivaya

     

    Karna Mantra.

     

    Sarva Dharman Parithyajyasya Klanir Bhavathi Bharata,

     

    Ahamthva Sarva Paapepyo Mokshayisyaami Ma sucha. Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18.

     

    Ganga water is given .

     

    The dying is made to lie down head facing South.

     

    The body without Life is called Sava while the state of Jiva(Soul) is Preta.

     

    The Yamadutas, the servants of the Lord of Death, Yama drags the life out.

     

    As soon as the life is out, a small oil lamp lit with Gingelly oil is left near the body’s head.

     

    The body is to be laid on the Dharpa grass.

     

    The body is bathed, daughters, perform this and draped with a new Cloth after removing everything else from the body.

     

    The body is garlanded and Rice is dropped in the mouth by the relatives.

     

    The ceremonies are performed as dictated int the relevant Veda Sutra of the deceased.

     

    The son takes bath and performs the Homa and takes the body with Fire in a pot   to the cremation Ground.

     

    The son is expected to shave, in some custom hair of the head is also removed.

     

    At the cremation ground, the son performs Nagna Prachchadana Sraddham,after removing the clothes from the body.

     

    The dead feel ashamed and hence free offering of clothes for the next ten days are advised.

     

    It also feels thirsty and hungry.

     

    Food is also offered as Dhana during these ten days.

     

    Now after the Homa is over, establishing Kunda, on  the river bank another at  Home is done where Tharpana is done daily.

     

    Two Tharpanas, one Tilotaka, water with Til and another Vasodhaka, water wrung from Cloth is to be performed daily for the Two kundas daily till the tenth day.

     

    Tilodaka is offered thrice on day one and it increases one every day and on the tenth day it is twelve.

     

    This is to quench the thirst of the departed.

     

    To satiate hunger Pinda ,rice balls are offered.

     

    The dead assumes the Vayavya Sarira.

     

    It is formless.

     

    The offering of Pinda helps in forming the solid body.

     

    First day offering helps in the formation of the head, second the formation of the neck and shoulders,the third the Heart, the fourth the Back, the fifth the navel, sixth the waist, seventh generative organs, the eighth the Thighs and the ninth day the Legs.

     

    The tendency to offer the Tharpana on the tenth day ,instead of every day is proscribed as it makes the dead thirsty, hungry, and prevents the formation of sarira, body.

     

    Ekottavruddhi sradhham is to be performed daily till the tenth day.

     

    Cooked rice with vegetables are to be offered to three people on the first day , to be increased by one every day till the tenth day,corresponding to the Tila Sraddha and on the twelfth day 12 are to be fed or are to be gifted the materials.

     

    Nava sraddham is performed on day one, three, five, seven , nine  and eleven by  offering rice.

     

    Related articles

    http://ramanisblog.in/2013/08/18/mourning-death-theetu-rituals-hinduism-details/

     

    http://ramanisblog.in/2014/10/14/death-rites-hinduism-part-2-day-2-to-thirteen/