After the bath, the deceased should be dressed in new clothes. Thus, bathing the deceased amounts to purifying him/her externally as well as internally. Bathing a dead body with water charged with sāttvik waves destroys the sheath of Raja-Tama particles on the dead body, so also it helps in releasing the subtle putrefying gases trapped in the body. Due to the Sattva waves spreading from the hands of the person chanting the Name, the water gets charged with these waves and the environment is purified. Why is the dead body bathed and then dressed in new clothes ?īathe the dead body accompanied by loud chanting of ‘Shrī Gurdēv Datta’. A single wick used in the earthen lamp is a symbol of the glow of the soul. Once a person dies, his body, which is made up of the five Cosmic Principles, becomes lifeless then it is only the soul that glows. Why is only one wick used in the earthen lamp ? Complete destruction of Raja-Tama predominant waves reduces the chances of the deceased getting entrapped in Bhulok (Earth region). This helps in formation of a subtle-layer of Tēj-tattva predominant waves on the floor, which in turn helps in reducing the obstruction of negative energies from the Pātāl region (Hell region) in disintegration of Raja-Tama predominant waves, and the process is completed without any obstacles.
Due to the wheat flour mound, the Tēj-tattva predominant waves attracted to the flame are held for a longer period and then they are gradually emitted far and wide as per the need. Why is a lit earthen lamp placed on wheat flour kneaded with water ?Īn earthen lamp is lit on a mound of wheat flour kneaded with water. The steadiness of the flame is an indicator of reduction in movement of Raja-Tama predominant waves in the premises due to their disintegration.Understanding the science behind rituals after death such as this helps in increasing our faith in the spiritual science associated with many such practices associated with death as per hinduism. From the seventh day onwards, the flame becomes steady. This flickering signifies its activated state. It is because of this reason that for the first five days, there is considerable amount of flickering of the flame. Let the waves emitted by this flame restrict and disintegrate all the Raja-Tama predominant waves associated with the dead body that are moving in the premises.’Ī prayer made thus activates the flame and expels Raja-Tama predominant waves moving in a circular manner from the place. After lighting the lamp, one should pray to Deity Yama thus – ‘O God, let the Tēj-tattva (Absolute Fire Principle) predominant waves emanating from you be attracted to the flame of this lamp. The flame of this lamp is kept facing the south, since that is the direction of abode of the Deity of death, Yama. To prevent this, an earthen lamp is lit on the precise spot. There is every likelihood that any jīvas (individuals) entering the area encircled by these waves will suffer distress. As a result, the Raja-Tama predominant waves associated with the sheath of desire of the deceased, move rapidly in a circular manner at the place of his death. When the vital energy (prān) leaves the physical body, sub-vital energies and other subtle putrefying gases are released into the environment, and the person gets confined to that place with the physical body becoming lifeless. Whenever there is a death in the family, why is an earthen lamp lit in the house and what should be its direction ? This prevents the subtle putrefying gases from spreading into the environment through the ears and nose, and the environment is purified too. Instead of cotton balls, a bunch of tulsī leaves is placed in the nostrils and ears of the dead body. Why is a bunch of tulsī leaves placed in the nostrils and ears of the dead body ? Hence this is treated as one of the prime rituals after death. Moreover, Gangājal and tulsī leaves help in retaining the purity of the inner sheaths of the deceased and in preventing entry of negative energies through the mouth. This brings about disintegration of putrefying waves released from the mouth into environment, thus keeping the environment pure. By pouring Gangājal and placing tulsī (basil) leaves in the mouth, Sattva waves from the Universe get attracted to these sāttvik objects placed in the mouth.
Often, when the prān (vital energy) leaves the gross body, the mouth remains open, and through this open mouth, putrefying waves from the dead body spread into the environment.
Why is Gangājal (water collected from the river Gangā) poured into the mouth of a deceased followed by placing tulsī (basil) leaves in the mouth ? Rituals after death Below are some very common questions and doubts raised about some of the Hindu Rituals after death 1.