Host:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Blessings to you.
Host:
In the previous episode on our YouTube channel, Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khapa, we were discussing the reincarnation of the soul with you. Now, when a person passes away, you mentioned a life in the "other world" or the afterlife. There is a concept regarding the soul's stay in that realm. Simultaneously, there are certain rituals and duties that the family members—the sons and others—must perform upon someone's death. I would like to ask you about the purpose of these rituals, what needs to be followed, and also about the liberation you mentioned—freeing the soul from the Pret-lok (the realm of spirits).
Gurudev:
Liberation from Pret-lok only happens after a specific period: ten months and ten days. Before that, liberation from the spirit realm does not occur. Generally, the rituals are performed a year later, on the same tithi (lunar day) the person passed away. Now, the purpose of these rituals is significant. While the soul resides within a human body, the person may commit many misdeeds, though some perform virtuous deeds as well. I am not speaking of the virtuous; they attain the divine state of Brahma-pad (oneness with the Creator). However, for those who have led a more downward-tending life, Lord Krishna mentions in the Gita that if a person can focus on the Divine—on Lord Narayana—at the moment of death, centering their thoughts between the eyebrows, Narayana draws them close and they merge with Him.
Gurudev:
Yet, in another instance, it is said that the cycle of birth and death is a continuous process—it is cyclic. Just as clouds form, rain falls, it evaporates, and becomes clouds again, we too move through this scientific cycle. Our Sraddha (funeral/memorial) rituals are of a very high and sophisticated order.
Gurudev:
Firstly, when a person dies and is cremated, we consider three lineages: the paternal lineage (father, grandfather, etc.), the maternal lineage (mother, grandmother, etc.), and the maternal uncle's lineage. When death occurs, the soul and everything else departs, leaving only the body behind. At that moment, no one from these three lineages is present near the body out of fear of the fire. Everyone is afraid. However, there are certain insects and small creatures that are drawn to the fire and perish along with the deceased body.
Gurudev:
Our scriptures are so profound and scientific that they dictate the first offerings be made to those who perished in the fire. At that moment, since no one from the three lineages is there, those insects are considered the "lineage." In the Pinda-daan (offering of food to the deceased) process, it is said that first, the Agni-dagdha Pinda (offering for those burned by fire) must be made. After these creatures receive their offering, the offering for the deceased person is made. Two Pindas are offered right after death, and a year later, many more rituals follow.
Gurudev:
This level of scriptural detail is unique to our tradition; you won't find it among Christians, Muslims, or Parsis. Hindu scriptures are more scientific than one can imagine.
Gurudev:
When we are alive, we require sixteen essential daily items, known as the Shorosh. Most people do not donate these while they are alive; they consume them for themselves. Since they haven't donated these sixteen items during their lifetime, they are donated after their death. These offerings are made to Lord Narayana with the deceased soul (referred to as Pret) in mind. First, it is offered to Narayana, and then to the spirit. This is called Shorosh-daan, and it is a vital part of the Sraddha ceremony.
Gurudev:
Now, our scriptures are also very compassionate. What if a person is poor? They might not be able to afford metal utensils like brass plates or bowls for the Shorosh-daan. The scriptures say that if one cannot provide metal, they may use clay—clay bowls, clay plates, clay glasses. You can perform the rituals with these.
Host:
So Shorosh-daan can be done with clay items?
Gurudev:
It wouldn't exactly be called Shorosh-daan then; it is called Til-Kanchan. It is performed with sesame (Til) and gold (Kanchan). Otherwise, people perform the full Shorosh-daan. Some used to perform Bissha-Utsarga, but that has mostly disappeared now because there are no longer Brahmins qualified to perform it. Usually, Til-Kanchan and Shorosh-daan are what take place today.
Host:
Could you elaborate on what these sixteen items include?
Gurudev:
It includes sixteen items: from shoes and clothing to bedding, bedsheets, a cot, pillows—everything a person needs daily—as well as the utensils they eat from, and food, clothes, and water. When these are combined, they form the sixteen items. This completes the person's earthly requirements since they did not donate them themselves; their successors—their sons—perform the donation on their behalf.
Gurudev:
As I said, our scriptures provide for everyone. If someone cannot even afford clay pots, they can use banana leaves. Banana leaves are suggested in our scriptures. This means it isn't just for the wealthy; the poor can also perform Sraddha using banana leaves.
Gurudev:
The process of Sraddha is essential. The word Sraddha comes from "Shraddhar Shohit Arghya" (an offering made with faith and devotion). In this ritual, there is Narayana, the Brahmin, and another figure called the Agrodani Brahmin, who accepts the first offerings. Today, the Agrodani role has largely vanished, and regular Brahmins accept the items. In the past, the Agrodani would come first to accept the donation and lead the ritual. The Brahmin would simply chant the prayers for well-being. Keeping a statue or symbol of Narayana serves as a witness to the donation. That is why Narayana is called Sakshi Gopal (the witness). Whether it is a wedding, a Sraddha, or an initiation, Narayana is always present as a witness.
Gurudev:
All these acts are performed for the soul's journey. We call it Pret Chandra Dakshina. When you donate something, you must also give a Dakshina (honorarium). Whether it is a plate, bedding, or pillows, each donation requires a Dakshina. This is specifically for the soul's journey to the moon realm (Chandralok). Generally, regular Brahmins should not take these particular offerings as it is thought to be burdensome; they were meant for the Agrodani Brahmins. However, since they are hard to find now, regular Brahmins accept them.
Gurudev:
The simplest ritual is Til-Kanchan—offering black sesame and a bit of gold. Those with means perform the full Shorosh-daan. These donations significantly impact the soul's future. If these rituals are not performed, the soul can suffer greatly.
Host:
So all these actions are centered around the soul?
Gurudev:
Entirely. It is for the Pret. Once a person dies, they are referred to as Pret. For a man, the term is Pretaya or Pretasya, and for a woman, it is Pretaya. Immediately after death, the person becomes a spirit and goes to the Pret-lok.
Gurudev:
Where is this Pret-lok? We say it is in Gaya, at the Pret-shila (the Spirit Rock). It is a massive rock with a large crack in it. When we perform Pinda-daan there, we reach our hand into the crack to place the offering. Many people get scared because they don't know what is inside that rock, but that is where the Pinda is placed. People have a deep belief that the soul resides there.
Gurudev:
In reality, the soul journeys directly toward Chandralok (the lunar realm). There is a gap of ten months and ten days. Why? Because it takes time for a new life to form and be born. Doctors also say it takes about ten months and ten days for a birth to occur. That same period is spent in the lunar realm. From there, the soul returns based on its past karma to a new womb, a new family, and new relatives. This is how it works.
Gurudev:
So, the Sraddha process is profoundly scientific. Nothing in it is unscientific. It is an offering made with faith. As Hindus, we should perform it. In Islam, they perform rituals after forty-one days. Different religions have different timelines, but our philosophical and scientific explanation is incredibly detailed and unique. You won't find such a philosophy elsewhere. As Hindus, we must perform these rites; otherwise, the soul lacks the support it needs. The Paralok rituals act as a support for the soul.
Host:
Gurudev, we will conclude the second part of our discussion here. We will hear the remaining part in our third episode. Friends, our discussion will continue. We are hearing from Gurudev about the soul, reincarnation, and the rituals following death in his unique scriptural perspective. Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Blessings.