The final pilgrimage – on death & beyond

The Final Pilgrimage

Agni, gentle and fierce,
Guide him softly, release him free.
To the Fathers’ realm, send him swift,
Not to burn, but to set him free.

Sunward goes the eye, breath to the wind,
Earth or water, his path aligned.
With each element, may he find,
His destined peace, in cosmic design.

O Agni, let not your touch sear,
But with sacred warmth, the soul steer.
To the world of ancestors, take,
The spirit to realms bright, awake.

With your light, the body release,
In your embrace, grant gentle peace.
To the wide world of the virtuous lead,
The subtle self, to truth proceed.

– Shantala (based on Ṛgveda 10.16, Funeral Rites).

My father’s life experiences were often woven into the teachings at Veda Studies, serving as examples that enriched our understanding and practice. As we now reflect on his final journey and the sacred ceremonies that marked his passage, I hope that sharing this account will offer the same depth of insight to our community that his life so generously provided. May his final pilgrimage be as instructive and inspiring as the life he led.

Trigger Warning: This blog discusses rituals and experiences related to death, which some readers may find sensitive or uncomfortable.

A Journey Through the Hindu Sacraments

Hinduism, with its profound understanding of life and death, guides its followers through every significant transition with rituals known as samskāra-s. These rites, which begin before birth and continue through one’s death, serve to sanctify and elevate each phase of life. Among these, the final sacrament, known as Antyeṣṭi, or the last rites, is the culmination of a lifetime of spiritual practice and devotion. It is this final rite that not only bids farewell to the physical body but also helps guide the soul towards its next journey.

The concept of samskāra-s is deeply rooted in Hindu philosophy, aiming to purify and prepare the individual for the spiritual journey beyond life. The rites performed at death, known as Antyeṣṭi, mark the final sacrament. According to Hindu belief, life and death are part of a continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and the samskāra-s performed at death play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition for the soul from the mortal world to the spiritual realm.

The Day of My Father’s Passing

The morning my father passed away, our home was filled with a quiet, poignant silence. His body, which had been the vessel of his vibrant spirit, was placed outside our living room for the final viewing (antima darśana) with a backdrop of Viṣṇu Sahasranāma playing. Friends and family circumambulated, paying last respects, as we prepared to say our final goodbye. It was a moving scene—a strange mixture of sorrow and peace. Sorrow for the loss of the man who had been our guiding star, and peace in the knowledge that he had lived a life of fulfilment and honour.

A Military Farewell

My father, a decorated former Indian Air Force officer, was honoured with a military farewell. This moment, imbued with pride and deep respect, added another layer of emotion to an already heavy morning. As an Air Force contingent arrived, including senior officers, we could see the respect and admiration in their eyes.

They draped his body with the Indian Air Force flag, a symbol of the years he dedicated to his country, and performed a military ritual that was both solemn and dignified. The flag was then carefully folded and handed over to my brother, Srihari. It was a poignant moment, not only as a mark of my father’s service but also as a reminder of the values he stood for—duty, honour, and integrity.

The Cremation Ceremony

After the viewing and the military honours, we transported my father’s body to the crematorium. The Hindu cremation process is a ritual deeply embedded in Vedic traditions, seen as a sacred duty of the surviving family members. The cremation centre is regarded as a place where the body returns to the elements from which it came, also known as the Hindu Rudra Bhūmi, where Lord Śiva-Rudra facilitates the dissolution of the body back into its elemental form.

My brother took the lead in performing the cremation rituals. With great composure and reverence, he lit the sacred fire, which in Hindu belief, is the purifier and conveyor of the soul to the next world. The priests recited mantra-s, invoking Agni, the fire god, to gently consume the physical body, and to carry the subtle body to the realm of the ancestors.

This act of cremation, more than any other ritual, felt like a bridge between the tangible and the intangible, between what we can see and what lies beyond.

Ashes to the Ganges: A Pilgrimage to Haridwar

On the third day following my father’s death, a journey was made to the ancient city of Haridwar, located on the banks of the sacred river Ganges. Haridwar is one of the most revered cities in Hinduism, celebrated for its spiritual significance and known as a gateway to the gods. It is believed that immersing the ashes in the Ganges helps cleanse the soul of any lingering earthly attachments and obligations, paving the way for its journey to the afterlife.

Before the final rites were performed by the river, the family genealogy records, meticulously maintained by a purohit, were updated. These records, preserved for centuries, document the lineage of countless families and stand as a testament to the continuity of life and the importance of honouring those who have come before us.

With the genealogy register updated, the focus shifted to the river’s edge for the final rituals. Guided by the Purohit (priest), Srihari conducted the sacred rites by the Ganges. The priest carefully explained each step, detailing the journey of the soul after leaving the physical body and how these rituals assist in guiding the soul to its next destination.

The scene was deeply moving, with the iconic Haridwar clocktower in the backdrop and hundreds of others nearby, performing similar rituals. As Srihari released the ashes into the swift waters of the Ganges, there was a profound sense of connection to my father and the countless ancestors who had made this same journey. This ritual was not merely an act of releasing my father’s ashes but a symbolic gesture of surrendering him to the divine, trusting that he would be guided to a place of peace and joy.

Daily Rituals and Remembrance

Upon returning from Haridwar, the daily rituals continued at the Vaidika Sabhā (institute that helps perform all rituals), where prayers, offerings and donations were made in honour of my father. These rituals, performed over six days, are known as the shrāddha ceremonies. They are intended to ensure that the departed soul receives sustenance in the afterlife and is welcomed into the company of the ancestors, the pitṛ-s.

Vaikunṭha Samārādhane: The Final Ceremony

On the thirteenth day after my father’s passing, in our tradition, we gather to celebrate the life of the departed in a ceremony known as Vaikunṭha Samārādhane, traditional rituals that mark the end of the mourning period and celebrate the soul’s journey to Vaikuṇṭha, the abode of Lord Viṣṇu. This ceremony, deeply rooted in Vedic tradition, began with a Rudra abhiśeka, a sacred ritual bathing of the Śiva Liṅga, accompanied by the chanting of the Rudram. The chanting, echoing through the hall, created a powerful spiritual atmosphere, reminding us of the divine connection that binds us all. The house was purified with sacred waters along with chanting of Veda mantra-s as a blessing from the departed.

Two of the priests who performed the ceremony have been with our family for over 50 years. Their presence was a great comfort, as they have been a part of our family’s spiritual journey through multiple generations. Their voices, seasoned by years of devotion and experience, guided us through the ceremony with grace and reverence.

After the ceremony, a special lunch that was served to about 250 guests. This gathering was was a time to honour my father and also a celebration of community and tradition. The caterers, who have also been with our family for over 50 years, prepared a meal which included all of my father’s favourite dishes featuring four of his favourite desserts, each one reminding us of his joy for life and the simple pleasures that brought him happiness.

Dāna (donations) of various kinds – clothes, groceries and money were offered to the priests, caterers and their support staff.

As I reflect on these rituals and the journey we have walked in the days since my father’s passing, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude for his life and the traditions that have guided us. My father’s life was not just his own but was deeply interwoven with the lives of others—his family, his friends, his community, and even those who came to know him through Veda Studies.

His early struggles and unwavering devotion to family were central themes in our Śri Sūktam course on Goddess Lakṣmī, our Gṛha Devatā, or deity of the house. His commitment to the Śani vrata, the Saturn practice, is a testament to his influence, which continues to inspire our community at Veda Studies.

In sharing this, may we continue to honour our traditions, finding peace in the rituals that bind us to our loved ones and our dharma.

Special thanks are due to my brother Srihari – for his permission to share this deeply personal experience with images. I saw him at his best through this entire experience.

Special thanks are also due to Aparna Rajesh for her flawless event management and coordinating all the rituals with priests.