This is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons. This supports the Maven widget and search functionality. Sometimes, if there is doubt as to whether death has occurred, a lump of ghee (clarified butter) is placed on the forehead; if it does not melt, it is taken as a sign that life is extinct—an interesting but potentially misleading practice in the light of modern awareness of how hypothermia can mimic death. Let’s check out what the viewpoints: Views on Death in Christianity So, according to Hinduism, death is regarded as a natural process in the existence of soul as a separate entity. Hinduism makes difference between good spirit and bad spirits. This is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. All the same, we signed the IOU. This action reduces the workload drastically. day is a judgment day, where your actions are weighed and your karma Hindu scriptures state that there are 14 Bhuvanas (earth-like worlds) in this universe with seven above us and the rest below us. When the environment is tightly controlled by people of absolute authority, how can inmates still behave badly? For others, the wages of worldliness is inevitable reincarnation. There are two basic beliefs regarding afterlife. It can be liberated only through the devotion to God and good karma. An animal or an insect is akin to a person in a jail. Why does the Atman (soul) go through the cycle? The Bhagavad Purana also emphasizes on the rituals to be performed by the children of the dead person. The five elements in human body are mixed with five universal elements. As it happened, there was a world-wide convention of churches (not all but of one branch), and I went on the conducted tour on which the delegates from that convention were booked. Puranas are dedicated to specific Gods and Goddesses, and the Garuda Purana is a comprehensive account of what happens to human beings after they die. The next birth can be either in heaven (the best place) or hell (the worst place) or in any of the remaining 12 Bhuvanas. Destroyer, The Role of Archakas, Temple Priests, in Hinduism, Hinduism - Gods and Goddess More fortunate is he who has a burning desire for liberation. In Hindu tradition Death is also symbolized The word for “soul,” ātman, is derived from an, thus placing the concept of breath at the very core of the individual self or soul. air or the mid-region called antrariksham (interstellar space). I'm sometimes undecided on what I believe, however, I do hope there is an afterlife for sure! Very comprehensive and interesting article about the Hindu view on death and afterlife. When a Hindu dies, a priest reads Garuda Purana for initial 11 days in the house of the mourners. Initially, most Christian favored burial of the dead body but today both cremation and burial are practiced by Christians. Life, death and the afterlife are part of our path to The same opportunity is available to the non-human life as is available to a jail inmate. The practices that the religion inspires entail acts that appear contradictory. These five elements are also present in the human body. Death is a state of being lifeless. Hindu, God and Soul, Atma and Paramatma, This concept is enunciated in 27th Sloka (couplet) of the second chapter of Bhagavad Gita, the sacred book of Hindus. Thanks for the comprehensive article here on Hindu beliefs. This concept of reincarnation is widely held in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. @saisarannaga, I take interest in religious studies.Thanks for appreciating my work. Now, what about animals, birds, insects and other non-human life? Thanks for your sincere comment. By cremating the body, the elements are rightfully returned to their respective spheres, while the subtle body along with soul returns to the world for the continuation of its afterlife. Hugs, Maria. To be a great a writer you must do the same and you have intelligently accomplished expounding on the rich traditions of Hinduism. The name Hindu derives from Indus river that was originally in modern day Pakistan.