According to the dharmashastras, a Hindu is expected to lead his life religiously. At every stage of his life, he is expected to perform or undergo certain religious ceremonies, which will add a peculiar excellence not only to his body but also to his mind and spirit. This is technically called ‘samskara’ (purificatory rite or sacrament). Out of the sixteen such saṁskaras (called shodasha-samskaras), antyeshti is the one that comes at the very end. It is the grand finale of a life that has been well-lived.
As the very name indicates (antya = end, death), it is performed on the death of a person by his survivors, usually the sons or the nearest male relatives. Since cremation seems to have been the general rule among the Vedic Aryans, it was considered a sacrifice (ishti = sacrifice). It was believed that Agni, the fire-god, who acted as a messenger between gods and men, would lead the soul of the dead to the next world.
The Process of Antyeshti
Preparations and Rituals Before Death
On the approach of death, the person who is expecting to die shortly bids farewell to the assembled relatives and the world. Alms and gifts are distributed. Oblations are offered into the sacrificial fire maintained by him. In modern times, it is customary to drop the water of the Ganges and tulsi leaves into the mouth of the dying person.
The Funeral Procession
The body is removed on a bier specially prepared and taken in a procession to the cremation ground, led by the chief mourner, usually the eldest son. A cow is let free on this occasion. She is called ‘anustarani’ and is believed to be helpful in crossing the ocean of mortality.
Cremation
The corpse, after being washed, is laid on the pyre and fire is applied with appropriate Vedic mantras, such as Rig Veda Samhita 10.16.1. The lighting of the pyre signifies the return of the physical elements to their original state, thus completing the cycle of life and death.
Post-Cremation Rites
After the cremation, the ritual of udakakarma (offering of water) is performed. The mourners are consoled, and the nearest relatives observe ashauca (ceremonial impurity) for a period, usually three days. During this period, they are expected to abstain from social and religious activities.
Gathering and Immersing the Ashes
Later, the bones are gathered in a rite called asthisancayana and immersed in a holy river or the sea. This act symbolizes the release of the soul from the physical body and its journey towards moksha (liberation).
Shraddha and Sapindikarana
Shraddha ceremonies are performed to honor the dead and ensure their peaceful transition to the next world. The final ceremony, sapindikarana, involves the ritual affiliation of the deceased with the manes (ancestors). This ensures that the departed soul joins the ancestral lineage and is cared for in the spiritual realm.
Significance of Antyeshti
Antyeshti is not merely a ritual of disposal of the body but a significant religious ceremony that emphasizes the continuity of life, the importance of fulfilling one's duties, and the belief in the afterlife. It reflects the profound philosophical underpinnings of Hinduism concerning life, death, and the eternal journey of the soul.