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Post by Sumi on Feb 21, 2013 14:04:39 GMT 5.5
Here is a query by one of our respected members who wants to remain anonymous.
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If a close person – an office colleague or relative had a Durmaranam – what is the procedure that we can do after going for their funeral?
Is the regular procedure enough by washing legs and taking head bath? Can we also do something else for their soul to rest in peace – a dheepam in temple or any other thing – please confirm.
Yesterday one of my good colleagues passed away in an accident. I went for the funeral. Now, I want to know if I can do anything for the soul to rest in peace.
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Post by Kanchi Periva on Feb 22, 2013 9:35:42 GMT 5.5
Yes, the regular procedure of having a complete (head to toe) bath is good enough. Here are a few additional pointers: a) Preferably do not enter your house without taking a head bath (generally people keep a bucket of water outside/backside of the house before they step out for such things. this can also be observed in apartments as you are likely to have a tap connection in the ground/basement always). b) Ideally, women must tie in a piece of "manjal kizhangu" (turmeric) in their saree/clothing when they go to such a house. (It is expected to safeguard them from contracting any infections from that atmosphere, which they are otherwise easily prone to.) c) When you are coming back from that house, you are supposed to just walk out and not tell everyone around that you are leaving ("see you" etc). Idea is that we do not want one more incident like that to happen in their home, and so we do not utter "see you again" etc which could apply in the same perspective. d) Once you have had your bath, you can get back to your normal duties. But if you feel sorry for the soul who passed away, please take a few minutes immediately after bath, go to your pooja room/swami pictures and sit down for a few minutes and pray for the departed soul. e) As our Sankara Bhagavatpaada says "Punarapi Jananam, Punarapi Maranam" -the jeevan does not go out anywhere else, but comes back to the earth again after every death. The form of next birth (as a non-living thing, tree, plant, animal, worm, man etc) would be decided based on the good/bad deeds performed in the past birth. However, we can submit our prayers to the Supreme for the departed soul to rest in peace, and for him/her to get a much better life in next janma with enough blessings and knowledge for them to attain moksha in the next janma at least. f) It would also be an appropriate time for us to do a bit of introspection and understand how meaningless the material life is. All what we see around us can be stripped away in the flick of a second, and we play so many stupid games and politics all through our life less realizing this ultimate truth. To quote Sri Sankara again, "Maa kuru dhana jana yowvana garvam, harati nimaeshaat kaalah sarvam" - He says "Never take pride in having a wealth of money, bunch of people always around you, or even about your youth (outward beauty) - beware that "Time" (or destiny or fate) can take all these away in a split second". We must keep revisiting these lines and reflect on all our Vedanta philosophies at least when we get such an opportunity to introspect. g) Finally, it is certainly a great idea to think about assisting the departed soul to have some peace and to get that liberated. For this, you can visit any nearby temple (preferably large ones where the priest is aware of what we are talking about), and arrange for a "Moksha deepam" to be lit for the departed soul. The temple priest would be able to guide you on the materials required/amount to be paid etc - please ensure that you go to the temple only after complete purification (and not immediately after visiting the funeral home). It would be great if you have some friends in great mukti kshetrams like Chidambaram, Kaasi, Kanchi etc - where you can give your friends a call, and request them to arrange for a moksha deepam for the departed soul. It would be an excellent thing to do from our end, and will give you some satisfaction of having taken a few good steps for the departed soul. Trust this clarifies. Please feel free to post back any further queries. Here is a query by one of our respected members who wants to remain anonymous.----------------------------------------------------------------------- If a close person – an office colleague or relative had a Durmaranam – what is the procedure that we can do after going for their funeral? Is the regular procedure enough by washing legs and taking head bath? Can we also do something else for their soul to rest in peace – a dheepam in temple or any other thing – please confirm. Yesterday one of my good colleagues passed away in an accident. I went for the funeral. Now, I want to know if I can do anything for the soul to rest in peace. |
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Post by kahanam on Feb 22, 2013 19:19:27 GMT 5.5
Great advice. Very detailed and kind in thought. Thanks a lot. Much to think. Jaya Jaya Shankara, Hara Hara Shankara!
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Post by s. padmanabha iyer on Mar 9, 2013 19:22:17 GMT 5.5
good to know
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