After Death...In loving Memory of Ramesh Thamotharan

Death in did cruel and we all had to face it one day.Ramesh is my brother in law.Brother to my wife where he had pass away last Saturday 17-11-2012 leaving behind 3 young son and 1 daughter where all of them still a small kid.A shock wife whom can't take the fact that her husband finally went to see his creator.It's really sad to see he is gone, no more with us but his memory will remain forever.I had dedicated this post to his memory and may his soul rest in peace and attain the lotus feet of all pervading God.Aum.

The three forms of soul (Jiva)

Every individual soul possesses three bodies, namely, the gross, the subtle and causal (Sthula. Sukshma and Kaarana Sarirams). When the soul leaves one body and enters another, all these three bodies undergo changes.

The actions of a man are responsible for the modification of the above three bodies and consequently,his nature.

At the end of each life, the physical body and the gross mind return to the elements of the earth. But the 'Jiva' survives death. Depending upon the nature of the past deeds, and the number of subtle bodies it has developed, the Jiva either ascends to the heaven or descends to the hell. The 'Jiva' stays in these worlds till it exhausts (many a time, partly), the fruits of its good or bad actions. Then it returns to the earth again to take another birth (by virtue of the balance of Karma).

Physical or astral body (Sthula Sariram)

With the human birth, the dense physical body known as ' Sthula sariram' comes into the physical world. This is also know as 'Astral body' which is filled with emotions and worldly desires.The physical body is a mass of flesh, bone and marrow. It is called 'Annamaya Kosha'. In Sanskrit,'anna' means food. It is said that the physical body is maintained by the food and drink that one takes.

If one does not take meals for days, he gets emaciated physically. The energy that is present in the vitality of the food is the source of the strength that is gained by the physical body.When death occurs the physical body becomes dead and the soul departs. The funeral rites are performed

to sanctify the body awaiting to enter the world of 'pithrus' (manes)

Subtle or mental body (Sukshma Sariram)

The soft body, which is etheric exists within the physical body. The essence of one's innerself is represented by the 'subtle body' or 'Sukshma sariram', which is also known as 'Linga-sarira' meaning an insignia or a mark which is an indication of the energy or force inside the physical body of a man.

Just as the physical body is made up of the essence of the food that is consumed, the subtle body is constituted of many other factors such as 'Prana' (the breathing), the mind and the intellect.

When the soul leaves the physical body the 'soft body' or the 'Sukshma sariram' is left behind.The scriptures prescribe cleansing and purification ceremonies to be performed after the funeral rites to see that the body finally reaches the 'Pithru lokam' or the world of our ancestors.

Casual Body or Spiritual body (Kaarana Sariram)

The body that is sanctified and ready to enter the 'Pithru Lokam' (World of manes) is known as 'casual body' or 'Sprirtual body'.

Karumadhi or 16 days Athma Shanti Prayer

Karumadhi' meaning 'Ending of the Karyams ' is performed on the 16th day after the cremation.'Karma' means 'Rites' and 'Adhi' means 'the one that comes to an end'.The prayers start on the 15th day night and end on the 16th day morning. Some communities perform the prayers marking the end

of the mourning period on the 13th day known as "Sapindikaranam".

"Sapindi" for the deceased is performed with the goal of ritualistically merging his soul or spirit with those of the immediate three paternal forefathers - father, grandfather and great grandfather.If any of the three are alive at the time, Sapindi is postponed until after the death of all three.In the case of a

married woman, the three will be her husband, his father and grandfather.

The following procedures are followed marking the end of the mourning period on the 16th day.