The 16th Sanskaara, the ceremony for Cremation1 prepared in accordance with the Sanskaara Vidhi.
Introduction
The Antyeshti Sanskaara
The final sanskaara, this अन्त्येष्टि संस्कार, like the first three, is done in the physical absence of the person on whose behalf the Sanskaara is done. But, unlike all the rest, this one is after the end of life, whereas the preceding 15 are before and during life.
This Sanskaara provides for the proper disposal of the dead body. This is the only Sanskaara that is performed for the general good of the world (as compared to other sanskaaras that generally look to the physical, mental, and spiritual growth of the self). The mantras in this Sanskaara provide a clear Vedic and scientific approach to the last rites, in which all of the elements used in Creation are acknowledged, and the process of reincarnation and recycling is recognized.
In the previous 15 Sanskaaras, there were the elements of life, air, water, earth, space, and energy, and we prayed for those to be effective and efficient within us and for us. In this final Sanskaara, these six elements that were hitherto prayed for are returned to their source. In a way, the Antyeshthi is a ritual for recycling the human body, that is, returning the elements to their source of form and letting the world be free of a lifeless, decaying body.
We believe in reincarnation of the Soul, and upon death, there is no concept of lingering, maligning, or hovering “spirit.” Instead, the elements of the body return to their source, and the soul takes its reincarnation.
This Sanskaara is of three main parts:
Part I – The Cremation itself, which provides a purification ritual to return the elements of the body to their source. Thus, dust to dust, ashes to ashes is taken even more literally with air-to-air, water-to-water, etc. This allows us to dispose of the body without contaminating the surroundings.
The first part of this Sanskaara stresses the practicality of cremation as the mantras identify the relinquishment of various body parts, the senses, and the attachments the person has had when alive. The second part contemplates the universal laws of life and death and the aspects of reincarnation. The final part of the Sanskaara contemplates the Almighty God, who presides over all and facilitates the process of reincarnation of the Soul to a new body.
The Sanskaara has 120 verses to be chanted and offerings made to the fire. These may be repeated as necessary and if possible (given the intense heat that may arise from the fire).
Part II – Grihashuddhi. Immediately after the Cremation is completed at the crematorium, the गृहशुद्धि (Grihashuddhi) or house purification is to be done at the home.
This is the environmental clean-up of the potential effects of the dead body. A dead body starts to decompose from the time of death, and therefore, all precautions are taken with this second part of the Sanskaara to ensure that the home and the surroundings are clean.
Part III is the collecting and disposing of the ash, usually done on the day following cremation.
The entire Sanskaara is designed to provide a scientific process for the disposal of the body. Even the ash (from the cremation) is properly disposed of in a manner that contributes to the environment.
There is no other obligation for the dead.
Time for Antyeshti
As soon as is practical and possible after death. The earliest time from death is recommended. The soul has departed; our duty is to let the elements of nature return to their original state as early as possible.
Requirements for Antyeshti
- It is recommended that the amount of Ghee and Samagri be equal to the body’s weight.
- The usual Havan ingredients are required but with extra camphor, dhoop, etc.
- Long-handle spoons should be available – alternatively, tie the spoons to long sticks.
- A pyre should be available (or made), which should typically
- Length: length is as long as a person lying with hands stretched above head.
- Width: as wide as a person lying with arms stretched to the sides.
- Depth: As high as chest height.
The Antyeshti ceremony
- The funeral procession should recite “Om krato smara kritam smara”
- The feet of the dead should remain always in the South or southeast.
- The body is laid on the pyre with feet in the South. Ghee, Samagri, incense, and other ingredients can be placed around and on top of the body.
- The ceremony starts with the lighting of the fire at the head side first; then all four sides are lit.
- Traditionally, we light a smaller fire at the head-side (away from the pyre). We complete the ritual at this fire and then extend it to the pyre on all sides. This has become accommodative since the heat gets too much if the pyre is lit from the beginning.
- In the case of electric and other non-fire disposal, the ritual is done first, and then the body is disposed of.
The ceremony now continues thus.
Lighting of fire & Oblations
Light the fire and then make oblations of ghee and samagri with the following mantras:
Om agnaye svaahaa.
Fire Energy (Agni) is recognized. What has come from Energy, svaahaa, all goes to Energy.
Om somaaya svaahaa.
Fluid Energy (Soma) is recognized. What has come from Soma, svaahaa, all goes to Soma.
Om lokaaya svaahaa.
The world is recognized. What has come from the world, svaahaa, all goes to the world.
Om anumataye svaahaa.
Earth is recognized. What has come from the earth, svaahaa, all goes to earth.
Om svargaaya lokaaya svaahaa.
The space that houses the other planets is recognized. What has come from the space, svaahaa, all goes to Space
Om soorya chakshur gachchhatu vaatamaatmaa
dyaam cha gachchha prithiveem cha dharmaṇaa.
Apo va gachchha yadi tatra te hita-moṣha-dhee-ṣhu
prati-tiṣhṭha shareerai svaahaa.
May the power of sight, which utilizes light, be absorbed by the sun. May air, energy, water, and other parts all go to their respective nature.
Prathivyai svaahaa.
That which was from earth/dirt, be free.
Agnaye svaahaa.
That which is from Fire, be free.
Antarik-shaa-ya svaahaa.
That which is from the cosmos, be free.
Vaayave svaahaa.
That which is from Air, be free.
Dive svaahaa.
That which is from celestial bodies, be free.
Sooryaaya svaahaa.
That which is from light, be free.
Dig-bhyah svaahaa.
That which is for the pathways of life, be free.
Chandraaya svaahaa.
That which is of Moon, be free.
Nakshatre-bhyah svaahaa.
That which is of other planets, be free.
Ad-bhyah svaahaa.
That which is of water, be free.
Varuṇaa-ya svaahaa.
That which is of the oceans, be free.
Naabhyai svaahaa.
That which is of desire (navel), be free.
Poo-taaya svaahaa.
That which is of non-desire (purity), be free.
Vaache svaahaa.
That which is of speech, be free.
Praaṇaaya svaahaa.
That which is of life-force, be free.
Praaṇaaya svaahaa.
That which is of breath, be free.
Chakṣhushe svaahaa.
That which is of eyes, be free.
Chakṣhushe svaahaa.
That which is of sight, be free.
Shrotraaya svaahaa.
That which is of hearing force, be free.
Shrotraaya svaahaa.
That which is of ears (organs of hearing), be free.
Lom-bhyah svaahaa.
That which is of fibrous tissues, be free.
Lom-bhyah svaahaa.
That which is of body fibers, be free.
Tvaache svaahaa.
That which is of skin, be free.
Tvaache svaahaa.
That which is of senses of the skin, be free.
Lohitaaya svaahaa.
That which is of blood, be free.
Lohitaaya svaahaa.
That which is of the purpose of blood, be free.
Madobhyah svaahaa.
That which is of fatty tissues, be free.
Madobhyah svaahaa.
That which is of the purpose of fatty tissues, be free.
Maan-se-bhyah svaahaa.
That which is of flesh, be free.
Maan-se-bhyah svaahaa.
That which is of the purpose of flesh, be free.
Snaa-va-bhyah svaahaa.
That which is of muscles and nerves, be free.
Snaa-va-bhyah svaahaa.
That which is the purpose for muscles and nerves: be free.
As-tabh-yah svaahaa.
That which is of muscles, be free.
As-tabh-yah svaahaa.
That which is of bones, be free.
Maj-jabhyah svaahaa.
That which is of bone marrow, be free.
Maj-jabhyah svaahaa.
That which is for the purpose of bone marrow, be free.
Retase svaahaa.
That which is of seminal fluid, be free.
Paayave svaahaa.
That which is of intestines, be free.
The following offerings are made in recognition of the forces or outcomes for which the parts of the body were used.
Aayaa-saayaa svaahaa.
Human effort be relinquished.
Praayaa-saaya svaahaa.
Endeavors be relinquished
Sanyaa-saayaa svaahaa.
Actions/interactions be relinquished.
Viyaa-saaya svaahaa.
Vocations be relinquished
Udya-saaya svaahaa.
Dreams be relinquished
Shu-che svaahaa.
Virtue be relinquished
Sho-chate svaahaa.
Sorrow, be relinquished
Shocha-maanaa-ya svaahaa.
Lament, be relinquished
Shokaaya svaahaa.
Sadness be relinquished
Tapase svaahaa.
Penance be relinquished
Tapyate svaahaa.
Anxiety be relinquished
Tapya-maanaa-ya svaahaa.
Tap-taaya svaahaa.
Suffering be relinquished
Dharmaaya svaahaa.
Duties be relinquished
Niṣh-krit-yai svaahaa.
Effects of Sadness be relinquished.
Praayash-chit-yai svaahaa.
Components of regret be relinquished.
Bheṣha-jaaya svaahaa.
Components of medicines be relinquished.
Yamaaya svaahaa.
Components of decay be relinquished.
Antakaaya svaahaa.
Components of the finality be relinquished.
Mritya-ve svaahaa.
Components of mortality be relinquished.
Now, offerings in recognition of God
Brahmaṇe svaahaa.
All for the Creator
Brajma-hat-yaa-yai svaahaa.
To the non-creative forces, all is dedicated.
Vishve-bhyo deve-bhyah svaahaa.
To the lord of the Universe, all is offered.
Dhyaavaa-prithivee-bhyaam svaahaa.
To the (purity of) atmosphere, all is offered.
Agnaye rayi-mate svaahaa
Energy produces wealth. Energy and Wealth is relinquished.
Ya etasya patho
gop-taaras-tebhyah svaahaa.
Ya etasya patho
rakshitaa-raste-bhyah svaahaa.
Ya etasya patho
abhi-rakshitaa-rastebhyah svaahaa.
That the soul’s pathway is safe and sound (with God) we offer all.
Khyaatre svaahaa.
Relinquishing any places and causes for fame.
Apaa-khyaatre svaahaa.
Relinquishing any places and causes for infamy.
Abhi-laala-pate svaahaa.
Relinquishing any praises that were attained.
Apa-laala-pate svaahaa.
Relinquishing any criticisms.
Aganye karma-krite svaahaa.
Relinquishing all action and conduct that helped the world.
Yamatra naadhi-mas-tas-mai svaahaa.
Relinquishing even that which has not been read and that which has not been done.
Agnaye vaish-va-naraaya suvargaaya lokaaya svaahaa.
Relinquishing all action and energy that is beneficial to everyone.
Here ends the Antyeshti Cremation Ritual
Griha Shuddhi
This is the house-purification ritual.
After the cremation ritual is completed, the house is cleaned, and this ceremony is performed.
Procedure:
Aachaman
Anga Sparsha
Ishvarstutiprarthanaopasana
At this stage the fire is lit and placed in havan kunda and oblations of Ghee and Samagri are made with the mantras of the swasti vaachan and shaanti karanam:
Thereafter:
Sarvamvai pooran svaahaa
The ceremony finishes with Shaanti Paath
Gathering the ash
As a final duty for the dead, the relatives gather the ashes and dispose in water or in farmlands so as to provide as fertilizer to the plants etc.
In counties where this process of gathering the ash is allowed (in other countries the crematorium makes the ash available) such a task is done in contemplation and reflection of our roles in life.
Nothing else can be done for the dead body.
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