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Soul after death and before next birth

From the Bhakti List Archives

GS • February 20, 2003 


Humble pranams to all,

I would like to putforth my observations on the rituals being 
practised when one passess away. here, i wish to state that i have no 
idea as to the inner meanings of Vedas. but here i am just quoting my 
exclusive observations on the mantras chanted at the time of rituals..

in the initial step, the body is cleaned with water. it is agreeable 
that this universe is running with only five elements i.e. pancha 
bhootas. so, by chanting such mantra they may be indirectly offering 
the body back to pancha bhootas. i.e. by cleaning the body, they are 
offering to water, etc.,

further, by chanting such mantras they are thanking Narayana, the 
Ultimate on behalf of the dead one, for giving the beautiful and 
wonderful body to "fulfill the duties" for which it has been given to 
one. 

in general, one can understand the attachment one develops with the 
Body in this materialistic world.  So, it is reiteration of the 
thought that this body is nothing and by mantras they are reminding 
the soul that all the attachment is "moha" and that body does not 
remain now.   It is good for any soul to leave attachment with the 
body. but for materialistic persons it is very difficult..so they 
pour water again and again on the body to remind the soul that this 
is no way further connected to body and it has to do onward journey.  
this may be the reason that when one dies, even elders also come 
forward and puts namaskarams.  finally when the body is offered to 
fire, this may be the initiation to training up the soul that the 
body is no more..

when we observe that saintly person's body will not be offerred to 
fire because they do not develop any attachment with the body... so 
there is no harm.. they know the purpose for what they have come into 
world and with the same ease, they leave the body with ease... 
without any struggle...

but, whatever we may discuss here.. it only rely on the "Faith" as 
one cannot experience what really happens after death... he may be 
experiencing but he will not have body to express... but when the 
soul remembers what happens and takes place in garbham, and takes 
birth, it forget what hapened to soul after death....

it is said that when a soul has to stay in the stomach between 
variuos smells of mala mootras, it will promise God again and again 
that it will fulfill all the duties for which it is being sent... it 
cries by putting hands on head for the suffering it goes inside the 
womb... but when it lands in this earth, it tends to forget 
everything...

when comes to the transition period of after and before... this may 
be depended on the karma that what has performed during the life... 
this may be like a pass book where any good action done is credited 
and any bad action will be debited... 

God sends a soul to live for a life period of 60 yeras for example... 
and in between he suicides at the age of 30 years... that soul has to 
remain as Ghost for next 30 years and this soul gets new body only 
after completion of 60 years.. 

but i have a question within this self why :-  Why this 11 days 
restriction was put both at the time of death and also when a New 
child is born in the family.  

I feel there must be definitely a strong reason.... 

Any errors in my understanding may please be corrected.

Namaskarams to all

--- In bhakti-list@yahoogroups.com, trilok banshal  
wrote:
> I am also looking for the answer but not yet got to right one.
> If you know please let me know with poofs.
> 
> --previous message--
> 
>  "Sriram.N.Kizhakkemadam "  wrote:
> Dear members,
> I would like to know the meaning of the various rituals performed 
> after death for 13 days. In particular, I would like to know the 
> viewpoint of the scriptures about the transmigration of the soul 
> after death. According to the scriptures, will the soul leave the 
> body immediately after death or will the soul be in the vicinity of 
> the body after death till 10th /13th day? 
> 
> Eagerly awaiting your erudite replies
> 
> Your servant
> 
> Sriram N. Kizhakkemadam



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