Rites for the departed: ancestors, last rites, cremation and burial

Man: Did I tell you a story about a cat that lives in the hospice? All the people there know that if this cat goes to somebody’s feet, this person will pass away in a day or so. So as soon as the cat does it, they start calling relatives.

S: Yes, because this cat can see the messengers of death and comes to say hello to them. That’s why dogs, crows and cows take part in most of the Hindu after-death rituals. You need to feed them. They are sort of mediators between material and spiritual lives.

Man: And what about cats?

S: No cats. But cats are connected with smashan. So cats are very mysterious too.

death , life , spirit

It all depends on the last rituals which are done with the body after death.

Religions are different because their last rituals are different. And they are very important. The result is different.

* * *

There is no concept of taking another birth in Christianity and also in Islam. Because they are buried. And a buried person never ever takes another birth.

Any Christian is waiting for the second coming of the Lord. Also Islam Muslims are also waiting for the second coming of the Prophet. It is only the Hindu rituals make you sure you will take another birth and the evolution will continue.

Q: Do you mean cremation ?

Sh: Cremation together with certain rituals performed for a year after it.

Q: So if those rituals are not performed, the person doesn’t take another birth.

Sh: No, he will remain as a ghost. And when somebody is buried, then his soul will not take another birth. They are all waiting on their graves for the second coming.

* * *

The technicality here is that you know subtypes of vayu like kurma and dhananjaya. Dhananjaya vayu resides in your skull. So as long as your skull remains intact, dhananjaya vayu never leaves the body, even after death. The only way to release it is a ritual when a person is being cremated, with a special cop on a skull with a long bamboo stick — then it is released finally.

When somebody is buried, the skull remains intact and the connection with the spirit also remains intact. Their spirit will never be released and they will be hovering near the place.

Q: And what is the connection – I mean, the soul, the spirit will have to be around that area?

Sh: They will remain in contact always. The bondage will not be broken.

Q: So the spirit will not be able to reincarnate in a new body?

Sh: No.

Q: And where will he reside, where will he spend his time?

Sh: Well, he will be about the dead body, where the body is buried. It can move around a little but it will mostly remain there. The attachment will be so strong that it will never leave the grave site.

Q: What if the body is cremated?

Sh: If it is incinerated then no connection will remain. That is why there is no concept of reincarnation in Christianity and in Islam. They keep on waiting for the second coming of the Lord or the Prophet.

* * *

Q: Those people who are buried dead without being cremated — are they enjoying their staying bound to their graves?

Sh: How can you enjoy when you see all the time your body rotting away by maggots all over it. How can you enjoy that?

cremation , reincarnation

Male: But you said when somebody is cremated his spirit is free and get another birth – body.

Guruji: It is for a common man, those who are cremated in a common Samshan where on top of them thousands others will be cremated, but here the cremation is special, the place is marked and a monument is built on it. They have – they are much more powerful spirits, exclusive cremation point.

I think that a cremated person will have a very good result of it. If some part of his ash comes to India and is put to some holy river like Ganges or to the ocean, he will take a better birth this time. So it is a good thing. His memory will also remain in that area where his ash was spread and buried. His family will continue to remember him. If the ash comes to India and is given to the river that shows he will have a good birth, in a better situation. That’s why all those rituals of cremation have been outlined here in India: in order to make a better birth and a better perspective and a better situation in the next life. Indians are experts in this: to create better karma so that the next life will be much more better. The soul rarely makes the choice itself. Very few people are so advanced that they can make a decision for their own life. They are compelled to go to certain situations. An offender does not want to go to prison – he is forced to go there. That is decided by somebody else. It is not his decision that he shall be imprisoned. If enough understanding is developed, and people are able to understand what result will come from which karma, they can start doing good, start some spiritual practice, practicing yoga and that will make them think more freely. And they are able to judge what is good for them and what is bad. And they will certainly improve. I think only with heavy practice of yoga one reaches the decision about what will happen with him in this life and in the next life. But a yogi is given a certain responsibility. He has to face very different types of situations many times in his life.

Male: But you said when somebody is cremated his spirit is free and get another birth – body.

Guruji: It is for a common man, those who are cremated in a common Samshan where on top of them thousands others will be cremated, but here the cremation is special, the place is marked and a monument is built on it. They have – they are much more powerful spirits, exclusive cremation point.

HOW TO HELP THE ANCESTORS ?

How they can help their ancestors or maybe it exists some simple rituals for them in pitri tarpana, to do something.

Guruji: Go to their grave , live some tasty food there, and pour a bottle of a scotch.

Tasty food must be white one or sweet one or…

Guruji: Any kind …

If they are buried, but if they are cremated ?

Guruji: Then just offer it to some same age person.

In pitri tarpana time? Or any time?

Guruji: Any time!

And, how often?

Guruji: Maybe once or twice a year is enough.

On new moon or no matter?

Guruji: New moon is better. This is good, people are becoming more …

Yes they read your darshans, so they ask the questions. Some of them even are sensitive

they are even feel the presence, like Grand babushkas or someone.

Guruji: So the best thing is to feed a person, who is also more less of the same age group. And lead her respectfully, or him whatever they choose to eat, remembering their ancestor. And even give them some money after that. That will help greatly. Some clothes also if they need it.

what will be with the 4 generations from the mother’s and 3 from the father’s side?

Guruji: it is still on. There always be grandmothers and grandfathers – so what’s the problem? No matter which country or which caste they are belong – they are ancestors of the person; if he is good to them – they will bless him, no problem.

good to them – that is the question: because nowadays there is no rituals for them?

Guruji: if you remember them with all emotions and good attention – even that is enough.

TO HELP THE DEPARTED RELATIVES

I had a very strange dream: that my grandfather didn’t die but he just made everyone believe in his death being alive?

Guruji: Ritual really works.

And my grandmother came to my parents with big bags and said that she’s tired of being in this sanatorium any more?

Guruji: That means cemetery: she’s out of it now. When my disciple did it for his mother – he clearly heard his mother saying: bye, my son is coming to take me. That was something.

What do You think – will they take birth now?

Guruji: They’re in a line, yes.

Could I meet them in this life?

Guruji: Possibly – because you’re the main key point of this. Marry a good girl: maybe they will come into your family.

Creating Ghosts, Selling Faith

"Guruji, we were talking about ghosts. In Christianity, for example, there's no concept of pitra tarpa?a (ancestral offerings)."

Guruji: "And neither is there any ritual to ensure gati (transition, to the other world). The complete ritual is to create earthbound ghosts, and that's why they don't have reincarnations. They wait for the judgement day."

"How it must feel to be confined in a box for such a long time!"

Guruji: "This also creates a negative influence on the society. There are miles-long graveyards in the US! In our tradition, bodies of only those people used to be preserved who had attained great knowledge, and whose bodies had become extremely pure. So, if they were preserved for a long time, they'd have a positive, pure mental effect on the surroundings. There, even evildoers are also getting buried, and their bodies are decomposing for a long time, so they'll will have their own influence on society, which will only increase over time.

"Also, as we discussed before, those who are buried are confined only to the lower two elements - Earth and Water, while those who are cremated go to the higher two - Air and Sky."

"Is this the main reason for degeneration we are seeing in society today?"

Guruji: "It's also a t??trika experiment: keep any human bone nearby and you'll only have bad dreams. If only a bone can have that kind of effect, imagine what will be the impact if an entire body is buried nearby."

if nobody give me donation here when I die?

Guruji: it is you who will give donation that you will receive. That is very old hindu believes. If you will not help to some person who needs clothes or something – than you will receive nothing there.

but if I’m yogi and my astral body is very strong?

Guruji: for a yogi this rule does not apply. You will be live without clothes – you are powerful enough. Maybe devil teach this Adam and Eve. You are naked, because you have not given anything to anyone – so eat the fruit, become conscious of your nakedness, go out of heaven, give something to others – then you will also have clothes. This maybe one of the meanings. But this fig leaf program is beyond me. Any goat or sheep will run after you to eat this leaf – I think it was not a good idea. So give and you will also receive. The golden thing. Always help if you see the person need of something. If you are in a position to help – please do so. Nobody knows when he will be in situation to receive help.

but sometimes you give the bigger help to person if you not help him?

Guruji: don’t put so much philosophy. Just help and forget about it.

REMEMBER YOUR ANCESTORS

I will quote captain Davy Jones from the “Pirates of the Caribbean”: life is cruel. Why should the afterlife be otherwise? We’re carrying our mind there. Same rule of jungle. We need to be ready to face the cruel facts of life. Life is never going to be bed of roses. What is the beauty of a thorn?

they can be removed?

Guruji: no. the flower is always afraid that it will be pick one day – thorn is not afraid of it. It will remain as it is, no matter what. In many ways thorn is better.

in this way we’re going through many struggle: if someone dies from hunger or was killed – what will be with him in afterlife?

Guruji: you can’t even begin to imagine that. It’s the very horrible topic.

is it important for the souls of our ancestors if we remember them in our stories and family photos?

Guruji: yes, it’s very important for them. If nobody is remember you – that means you’re no more existing. They will live on in your memories.

why it’s important for them – they are now in another form of energy…?

Guruji: only for the three generations from the father’s side and four from the mother’s side – remembering them is important. More than that is not recommended anywhere. If you will remember them in the proper way – they will take another birth, maybe in the same family.

what does it mean – in the proper way?

Guruji: taking care of them as we do in India: here is the period when you remember all your ancestors, seven generations and do things for them to make them happy.

how it’s possible for the spirit to leave the body, if the body is buried?

Guruji: it’s not possible. If the body is buried – it can not leave. It has some chance, if some person will come and the spirit will be able to possess that body – then it can go somewhere else, using the body as carrier.

is it possible to leave the body consciously?

Guruji: it happens extremely rare. Very rarely it happens in centuries. It’s not a common thing.

In the book «At the right hand of God», chapter ‘Life, death and after’ you say that religious rituals including christening affect the after-death existence. You say that they secure a grip on us after death. If I was a Christian when I was a child, and I don’t follow my vows who will I owe after death? How will the death of a Christian person differ from the death of a non-Christian person?

A: Well, the difference, the major difference, between different religions is the last rituals, what they do with the dead body, they are different. So, if you get a christian burial, you will receive or experience exactly what they actually tell in the Bible and what they preach. So I see no problem in that. If you are a good Christian, you should ask for good things there. So there is no problem. For the other religions the basic difference is Hindus go for cremation, Muslims go for burial but they are buried in a different way than Christians. So their after-death experiences are different. Christians after-death experience is different and hindus after-death experience is different. That means, whatever the last rituals are being performed on the dead person, they will directly affect his mind and spirit and consciousness. And whatever is writen in religious books, they will experience that. And If you are a yogi and you have realized your soul inside, and you are somehow able to make your spirit your friend, then a different story will come. The spirit will tell you so many things because it Is coming from the other side and will go on the other side.

Is it true that during initiation to kriya yoga all religions vows are taken off the person?

A: No, we say that whatever religion you are practicing, you should continue to do so. And privately practice kriya yoga because most of the religions they are asking to surrender your soul; and yogi say this is the only immortal substance, you have to keep it , make it your friend and maybe it will give you, tell you so many different secrets because only friends share secrets. So it’s a different approach. Instead of surrendering your soul, you are making it your friend. That is a very big difference in approach.

PITRI TARPANA

do we need to do pitri tarpana?

Guruji: if the father is not alive – then.

and if father is alive?

Guruji: no, then no. Book on pitri tarpana was translated in Russian also; now he is doing the translation of the complete book.

but why we need pitri tarpana if we’re your disciples?

Guruji: if they are ancestors – they are feeling happy, but it’s a custom to honor them once in a year for two weeks. It is better t do it, because on the other side they help more.

for pitri tarpana mother must be alive or no?

Guruji: it depends on the father.

because heaven and hell are only for men?

Guruji: that is another point: women I’ve seen – they become pitaras; so four generations for the mother side – they need to be given this and three generations from the father.

they remain on Earth?

Guruji: if yamduts will take them – why they are on Earth? They stopped; for the last maybe 20 years – no report.

they described river Vaitarani?

Guruji: it is escribed in Egyptian mythology also. Now they are on Earth – and to reach the abode of Yama you need to cross it over.

once you do the ritual for departed parents – you need to repeat it every year?

Guruji: you just need to feed at that time for the mother some old lady and for the father some man of his approximate age. Remembering him, feed him. that’s it.

no need to do some ritual?

Guruji: it is the simplest thing in the world. Main thing – you need to remember them with love and respect; remember them in your heart and just give water to the birds, crows, feed some dog, cow, and give food to some man, remembering him – or to some woman, remembering her. That is enough.

which birds must be feed?

Guruji: crows, dogs, cows and even ants.

It is a part of ritual for the departed. Ants, crows, cow and dog are always given food before you feed some brahmin or some person. Maybe that’s why even ants are recognizing my name now.

if someone will ask for help – what suggestion can be given?

Guruji: if they are Christians – they should go to church and follow their religion. They should go to cemetery and pay respect to their ancestors of their family.

if their ancestors were burnt?

Guruji: just remember them. Remembrance is the main thing. There was a story in Mahabharata: one king was for 1 million years in heaven; then gods informed him – that your time is over, because nobody remembers you. He was asked to go and find someone who may recognize his name. he came down to Earth and find some very old turtle somewhere – and he says: yes, very-very long time back this king was there. And again he was allowed to entry the heaven.

why it is so important -to remember?

Guruji: to remain inside the mind of someone, in the heart – it s something. It is very important.

if the person is alive, and you continuously remember him – you somehow support him?

Guruji: of course.

but it must be positive remembering?

Guruji: anything. Positive is better(smiling)

OUT OF THE PANGS OF SEPARATION THE LOVE IS DISCOVERED

why yogis are buried instead of being cremated?

Guruji: their earthly body becomes extremely divine and pious - so it is given back to the Earth as it is. And those persons, who wants realize anything in life – their earthly body is not worth preserving – so they are cremated.

is it considered like a sacrifice to the Earth?

Guruji: no sacrifice. It is just giving back to the Earth what we receive from earth in absolute fine condition, improved condition.

why my departed father is always looking very sad in my dreams?

Guruji: I think he’s needing some help from you. Feed musalman old dedushka on new moon day, remembering your father – that’s it.

why last rituals are so important?

Guruji: they have direct impact on your spirit: if you’re cremated – you’re ready for taking another birth; when you’re buried – you will wait for the judgement’s day. All christians are waiting for the second coming of the Lord – he will come down and raise the dead and judge them. This is what is written in bible. That also tells me that heaven and hell are still empty. Yogis object is different – it’s not a religious thing, it’s spiritual thing.

how to live the yogic life?

Guruji: first you need to become a yogi – then yogic life will begin.

is it important to broke the skull during cremation ritual?

Guruji: it is a part of cremation in hindus; we said that it’s particular sub-vayu, which remains in the human’s skull – it connects the spirit with the physical body. At the time of cremation it is done and the spirit is released.

if we take Daksha?

Guruji: Daksha was a villain; his motive was very different. Motives are different.

is it possible for the person with great spiritual possibilities to take birth in very weak family line?

Guruji: I’ve never seen it happened. Every great soul needs a very strong carrier.

maybe some tantric did certain ritual and invoke such spirit?

Guruji: remember, every tantric is not self-depend: they are depending on others. Here is the difference: yogis are depending on themselves.

but technically is it possible to invoke such a spirit in some family?

Guruji: family will be crushed, nobody will survive.

if the spirit is much more powerful that the body – how it can be slaved by weak body?

Guruji: everything is possible. Indians are great masters in these things so we’re learn many ways to do it.

but how powerful spirit could become a slave of body’s karma?

Guruji: impression. Once you receive an education in a college or a school – whole life you will be slave of that education.

when the spirit take birth – it always take a risk?

Guruji: only Hindu spirits take rebirths. It depends on the last rituals. But the risk is always there. Even crossing the road is very riskful. Risks are part of life.

what will happen with the spirit, if the body will be totally destroyed by fire or water without any rituals?

Guruji: he will be in line to take another birth. That will change his destiny. And it’s destiny if body was completely burn. There is no coincidence.

And sometimes this mantra is said for the departed?

Guruji: Yes, but departed, they say, go to Goloka – to be near Vasudeva.

EVERY ONE HAS THE SAME RIGHTS TO LIVE

what do You think – it must be some kind of bad karma of the whole nations, who’re eating meat and drinking alcohol?

Guruji: I’m sure of it. See- meat eaters population is going down.

cannibals in Africa also?

Guruji: there are many cases of cannibalism in Moscow, NY and many other European countries.

can it be connected with absence of last rituals?

Guruji: yes, they’re becoming dangerous ghosts, because they’re waiting for the judgement’s day. Till lord will come down with the flames – they will just lie and wait. That’s why I’m saying – Christian heaven and hell are empty. It could be connected. I think every animal or being living on this planet has the same rights as a human.

is it possible to exhumate the body to cremate it and do the last rituals?

Guruji: yes, but you need to take permission from the government. If you cremate someone – no chance for him becoming vampire.

Kriya Yoga is the very exclusive thing, not everybody is practicing it – but according to their religious beliefs they are doing last rituals. Only hindu style of last rituals guaranteed that you will take another birth. Otherwise you will continue to wait the judgement’s day.

how much time the person is waiting for another birth?

Guruji: it depends on the development of the person and urgency of taking another birth. There is no set rule of how much time it will take.