Death in Hinduism
Reincarnation
A person’s spirit/soul (atman) is permanent; it lives beyond a biological death. Whereas, the physical body is a temporary placeholder, something you leave behind (with the rest of your material belongings) when you die.
It is akin to if your spirit was your physical body, then the clothes you wear on a daily basis would be the physical realm you inhabit over time.
Karma
Which body -- or form -- you take on depends on your karma. Your current life is based on the merits of your previous life, just as your current actions will determine your status in the next life. When you do something out of choice you are creating new karma, but when you are forced to do something, you are simply repaying your karmic debt.
For example, a fruit basket represents the accumulated karma from your previous lives, known as Sanchita Karma.
Prarabdha Karma is the portion of the accumulated karma that has "ripened" -- meaning, it's time to pay your dues.
Kriyamana Karma is everything we produce in the current life, or the additional new fruit basket.
Garuda Puran
Similar to the Bhagavad Gita, this scripture is a discourse between Lord Vishnu and his vahana, Garuda (an eagle), as they discuss death, after life, sin and virtue, funeral rites, etc. It provides insights into 4 major areas: Life after death, journey of the soul, birth and reincarnation Significance of mourning for 13 days The disentanglement between the body and soul The importance and 4 types of charity work
Panch Pranas: The Five Vital Energies
Our body's internal mechanism are under the control of 5 vital energies which control the entire "internal operating system." Each one of the 5 pranas will exit your body over a specific period of time once you stop breathing.
How to Strengthen Your Pranas
Pranayama, which is the main component of yoga, is the practice of breath regulation. The essence that we breathe in and out contains prana, which manifests itself as our life force. It is the process of elongation, extension, expansion, and lengthening of each breath. Pranayama and chanting mantras maintains pure Prana and increases our capacity to store Pranas.
Does Hinduism believe in evil spirits?
I would typically say "Yes", as I am a Hindu and I believe. There are several types of ghosts like Mohinis, Dakinis and Pishachas. Now, we will know about the Pishachas.
What are Pishachas?
Pishachas are flesh-eating demons in Hinduism and Buddhism.
They possess the ability to:
- shapeshift
- assume any form at will
- become invisible
- disturb and harm humans
Where do they live and what is their origin?
There is a story that, In Hinduism, there are 14 lokas, or worlds, that make up a multiverse. They are divided into seven higher worlds and seven lower worlds. Pishachas inhabit the astral plane known as Preta Loka (“the world of the dead”). It is believed they haunt places where violent deaths have occurred, in forests, dilapidated buildings, ruined temples and in lonely and deserted places.
Is there any way that we can protect by the evil spirits?
Yes, definitely. There is our savior, the mighty of the mighty named Hanuman. We enchants his devotional hymn "Bhoot Pisaach Nikat Nahi Avei, Mahabir Jab Naam Sunavei."
There is also another devotional hymn but I would not particular say it is for ghosts because we hymn this mantra to liberate people from the cycle of life and death. The protection of Datta Bavani: "Pishach-Peeda Kidhi Dur Viprapurta Uthadya Shoor" which means you freed the son of a Brahmin from the spell of evil spirits.
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