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Verses from Isha Upanishad Chanted in Hindu Funerals

Verses 15 to 18 of Isha Upanishad are chanted at the time of death. They are also chanted by Hindus in the funeral rites.

The face of truth is covered with a golden disc. Unveil it, O Sun, so that I who love the truth may see it. (Isha Upanishad – 15)

O Sun, the sole seer, O controller, O Sun, offspring of Prajapati, spread forth your rays and gather up your radiant light that I may behold you of loveliest form. Whosoever is that person that also am I. (Isha Upanishad – 16)

May this life enter into the immortal breath; then many this body end in ashes. O Intelligence, remember, remember what has been done. Remember, O intelligence, what has been done. (Isha Upanishad – 17)

O Agni, lead us, along the auspicious path to prosperity, O God, who knowest all our deeds. Take away from us deceitful sins. We shall offer many prayers unto thee. (Isha Upanishad – 18)

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These verses are from the Isha Upanishad, which is one of the ancient scriptures of Hinduism. They express profound spiritual and philosophical ideas. Here's an interpretation of each verse:

"The face of truth is covered with a golden disc. Unveil it, O Sun, so that I who love the truth may see it." - This verse metaphorically portrays truth as being obscured by a golden disc, representing ignorance or illusion. The speaker implores the Sun, a symbol of illumination and knowledge, to reveal the truth so that they, as a seeker of truth, may perceive it.

"O Sun, the sole seer, O controller, O Sun, offspring of Prajapati, spread forth your rays and gather up your radiant light that I may behold you of loveliest form. Whosoever is that person that also am I." - Here, the Sun is addressed as the ultimate seer and controller. The speaker asks the Sun to spread its rays so they can perceive its divine form. The verse emphasizes the interconnectedness between the individual and the divine, suggesting an underlying unity of existence.

"May this life enter into the immortal breath; then may this body end in ashes. O Intelligence, remember, remember what has been done. Remember, O intelligence, what has been done." - This verse reflects on the cycle of life and death. The speaker hopes for their life force (prana) to merge with the eternal, while acknowledging the transient nature of the physical body. The repeated call to "remember" signifies a plea for self-awareness and consciousness of one's actions.

"O Agni, lead us, along the auspicious path to prosperity, O God, who knowest all our deeds. Take away from us deceitful sins. We shall offer many prayers unto thee." - Agni, the fire god, is invoked to guide the speaker and others along the path of righteousness and prosperity. There's a recognition of divine omniscience, as Agni is called the knower of all deeds. The prayer seeks purification from deceitful sins and expresses a commitment to offering prayers and worship.

Overall, these verses reflect on themes such as the pursuit of truth, the relationship between the individual and the divine, the cycle of life and death, and the quest for spiritual purification and guidance.