Kites of Passage And Beyond
Hindu tradition and most ethnic cultures round the world have evolved elaborate rituals and symbolism around death, even though death has been described as just another event. Curiously, death is not perceived as something final; it is seen as the beginning of another journey, where the physical body is discarded to help the atman or soul prepare to unite with the paramatman or the Supreme. The Garuda Purana describes in great detail the mechanics of the last rites from the time of death to the twelfth day that marks the end of dukh or sorrow. Death is actually celebrated as part of the liberation process that releases one from worldly suffering and attachments. Unshackled from physical obligations the spirit is free to embark on an exalted journey towards godhead. According to the Rig Veda, the Garuda Purana teachings contained in 8.800 verses are most suitable for the evolution of humans towards a virtuous life. This important subject is conveyed through Garuda, the eagle who is the vahan or carrier of Vishnu the protector-pre sumably as a revelation that all species are important. Hence humans have no right to appropriate for them- selves all rights to know- ledge and existence. The three sections of the Garuda Purana: Karma Kanda, Dharma Kanda and Moksha Kanda include Vishnu's incarnations, the story of Creation, mantras for atonement, the Gayatri Mantra, the importance of charity, the sanctity of sacred places and rivers and the significance of the last rites. The Creation story narrates how Mahavishnu stayed afloat on a banyan leaf after the Great Deluge. He was the only survivor, and hence is known as Seshan. He then created Brahmn to help him recreate the 86,000 species including humans. Srishti-kart Narayanan is known as the protector of all species. Human life has two aspects: The prakrita or physical and the sukshma or metaphysical that is invisible. The jivatma is the indestructible energy. It is eternal, just as the air inside a pot continues to exist even when the pot is broken. The jivatma needs to go home, to the Divine Energy, overcoming obstacles on the way. The last rites are symbolic efforts to assist in this endeavour. Just as we wash and clean whatever we offer to God, the jivatma, too, needs to be cleansed of all impurities before it reaches godhead. The Puranas even lay down prayashchitams or atonements that can help correct various misdeeds or pollutants acquired in the course of one's life. Sages have gone to great lengths to convince us that while money and worldly riches are easy to come by. tapas or good deeds accrued through acts of meditation are earned with great difficulty through sacrifice. Daan and dharma are far superior to hoarding of riches. The Puranas tell us that death is a mere physical event, and we propitiate the Lord of Death. Yama to accept the body surrendered to fire. Yet, they also tell us that during our lifetime, the body needs to be treated with due respect. It is not to be treated as a garbage bin. But once the body dies, its space to proceed on its journey to the beyond. And what lies beyond? According to Ashtavakra, nothing exists other than the Self. He says there is neither bondage nor liberation for one who understands that the world is illusion. A scientist would put it differently: If everything is ultimately energy whether light or dark -the spark that became life has to one day get back to its original state. That is, return to the ultimate cosmic energy that permeates all space. Birth and death are mere interregnums.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Narayani Ganesh kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Narayani Ganesh Speaking Tree,Times of India
Kites of Passage And Beyond
Hindu tradition and most ethnic cultures round the world have evolved elaborate rituals and symbolism around death, even though death has been described as just another event. Curiously, death is not perceived as something final; it is seen as the beginning of another journey, where the physical body is discarded to help the atman or soul prepare to unite with the paramatman or the Supreme. The Garuda Purana describes in great detail the mechanics of the last rites from the time of death to the twelfth day that marks the end of dukh or sorrow. Death is actually celebrated as part of the liberation process that releases one from worldly suffering and attachments. Unshackled from physical obligations the spirit is free to embark on an exalted journey towards godhead. According to the Rig Veda, the Garuda Purana teachings contained in 8.800 verses are most suitable for the evolution of humans towards a virtuous life. This important subject is conveyed through Garuda, the eagle who is the vahan or carrier of Vishnu the protector-pre sumably as a revelation that all species are important. Hence humans have no right to appropriate for them- selves all rights to know- ledge and existence. The three sections of the Garuda Purana: Karma Kanda, Dharma Kanda and Moksha Kanda include Vishnu's incarnations, the story of Creation, mantras for atonement, the Gayatri Mantra, the importance of charity, the sanctity of sacred places and rivers and the significance of the last rites. The Creation story narrates how Mahavishnu stayed afloat on a banyan leaf after the Great Deluge. He was the only survivor, and hence is known as Seshan. He then created Brahmn to help him recreate the 86,000 species including humans. Srishti-kart Narayanan is known as the protector of all species. Human life has two aspects: The prakrita or physical and the sukshma or metaphysical that is invisible. The jivatma is the indestructible energy. It is eternal, just as the air inside a pot continues to exist even when the pot is broken. The jivatma needs to go home, to the Divine Energy, overcoming obstacles on the way. The last rites are symbolic efforts to assist in this endeavour. Just as we wash and clean whatever we offer to God, the jivatma, too, needs to be cleansed of all impurities before it reaches godhead. The Puranas even lay down prayashchitams or atonements that can help correct various misdeeds or pollutants acquired in the course of one's life. Sages have gone to great lengths to convince us that while money and worldly riches are easy to come by. tapas or good deeds accrued through acts of meditation are earned with great difficulty through sacrifice. Daan and dharma are far superior to hoarding of riches. The Puranas tell us that death is a mere physical event, and we propitiate the Lord of Death. Yama to accept the body surrendered to fire. Yet, they also tell us that during our lifetime, the body needs to be treated with due respect. It is not to be treated as a garbage bin. But once the body dies, its space to proceed on its journey to the beyond. And what lies beyond? According to Ashtavakra, nothing exists other than the Self. He says there is neither bondage nor liberation for one who understands that the world is illusion. A scientist would put it differently: If everything is ultimately energy whether light or dark -the spark that became life has to one day get back to its original state. That is, return to the ultimate cosmic energy that permeates all space. Birth and death are mere interregnums.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Narayani Ganesh kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Narayani Ganesh Speaking Tree,Times of India