Human body is mentioned in VEDAS as tri-ani
pada (three bodies in one) - divine, spiritual and gross. Atma (soul) -
the omniscient principle resides in divine body, spirit (JIVA) - the energy
principle resides in spiritual body along with ten Pranas (vital breaths /
Asu), Vivek (discernment), Buddhi (intellect).
According to Rig Veda 1-2-7 Pranas/Asu is
the great devourer of diseases. Billions of cells along with senses/sense organs
and etani -outward looking mind reside in our gross body. Atma
(soul) is not affected by MAYA the cosmic delusion. Since Maya hides the Truth
and Reality with its Golden Lid, and this dazzling golden disc (extreme
Materialism in the vast sea of turbulent matter) affects senses and sense
organs, so the existence of Soul as Reality remains hidden from
the senses.
Beneficent spirit is provided to
us to perform our right deeds. Good thoughts relate to the soul.
Thus, human mind (manas) is completely joined with soul and spirit but
under the influence of senses, phenomenal world of matter it is de-linked from
these divine inner instruments and is badly entangled with matter, lust, greed
infatuation and attachment. One of the purposes of human birth is mentioned
“realisation of one’s Real Self”. For Self Realisation Vedas prescribe “Follow
RTA (cosmic laws) which having been created even God follows sternly.” By
following RTA and Dharma, one can realise the Real Self in one birth.
What happens at the time of Death of the gross
body? Vedic Description
At the time of death of the gross body, cells
merge with the earth, Spirit (Jeev) merges with
the divine Nature (Prakrti), the human Soul being immortal remains alive, and
hence consciousness remains. Based on degree of truth, quality of Karma (good
or bad deeds), acquired in the present and previous births as
individual's running ledger account, it gets manifested again on the birth
of another gross body. This process of birth and rebirth continues until, the
soul achieves perfection, is released from the three modes of Prakrti and moves
beyond three gunas of transparency, activity and passivity. It
is the stage of salvation, liberation i.e. Vedic Moksha.
Rig Veda 1-164-20, 10-9-20, 10-8-43 and 44 describe
three divine substance, Parmatma, (Supreme Soul), Atma (human soul)
and the divine Nature Prakrti. On the “Death” of human beings,
Spirit goes back to Prakrti and merges with the Nature as part
of the vast storehouse of energy. The Soul does not go back to Parmatma who
is the Supreme Soul as it gets affected with subtle atoms and particles of
human good and bad deeds, thoughts and desires.
Vedic metaphysics is emphatic that owing to the
prevalence of the spirit of God in all human beings, any distinction of class
superiority or inferiority is negation of religion and ethics.
Soul is dynamic but not moving when manifested, but
moves faster than all material things when not manifested. It traverses
billions of miles when it goes to devas (formless beings of
light as forces of divine Nature) viz. Suriya (Sun), Chandrama (Moon), Indra, Mitra,
Varun, Yama etc., during the 12 days journey after
the death of gross body for purification, knowledge, luster, noble and divine
traits, which it lost during the stage of manifestation in the body. (Yajur
Veda 39-6). However, the effects of Karma remain intact. It becomes
fierce, calm, terrible, fearless, ignorant, enlightened, passionate or ascetic
dependent on the past deeds, desires and thoughts (Y.V.39-7). In the womb it
becomes lovely through various virtuous deeds, chastise able through ignoble
deeds, supreme through divine knowledge, noble through spiritual force and
protector of all bodily organs and the pericardium enclosing the heart. It is
for this reason that most of the scriptures mention the soul dwelling in the
heart of all individuals. Apart from Vedas, Bhagavad-Gita, Adi Grantha Gaund M-5
and Katha Upanishad 1-2-20 to 22 also mention the soul residing in the
heart.
After its 12 days journey, it is well equipped with
Vedic knowledge, a-priori principles and cosmic laws of social and
moral order (Rta). Thus on the birth of a child, the knowledge of
four Vedas is made available through the manifested soul which is part of the
inner world.
Thus consciousness is the real cause of
transmigration of soul from one body to another. Brihadarnyaka Upanishad 4-3-34
and 4-4-4 explains the rebirth as a man passes from dream to wakefulness, so
does from this life to next life. At old age or during the stage of degeneration
even during young age, the self separates from the limbs like ripe mango, fig
or banayan fruit separates itself from the trunk. The same way the self hastens
to his new abode based on past karma and begins a new life in a new body. The
"self" i.e. atma departs through
eye, or gate of the skull or some other apertures of the body. The deeds of the
entire life and the impressions those deeds created to the manifested soul
before leaving the body follows the individual in the next birth.
Even those Souls which have achieved Moksha and
have become one with God also take birth after centuries to guide the harassed
humanity. Some time they take birth through divine potency like Lord Krishna or
Lord Rama and most often as human beings with normal birth like Buddha,
Mahavira, Socrates, Sankracharya and many others.
From the above description, it is apparent that
true followers of Vedic guidelines observe Prayer Meetings of the departed
souls on the 13th day of the death as the departed soul completes
its journey for purification on the 12th day.
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