According to Vedic teachings, death is viewed as a natural transition of the body. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad illustrates this concept
by likening the process to the detachment of a fruit from its stalk when the
body becomes weakened due to old age or illness. Just as a fruit naturally
separates from its tree, the infinite being, disengaging from the physical
body, returns to the cycle of life, moving towards new bodies to manifest its
vital force, much like it originally came into existence.
Moreover, the cosmos plays an active role in this
transition. And the cosmos is an active participant in this exchange: ‘Just as when a
king is coming, the guards, charioteers, and village leaders wait for
him with varieties of food and drink and mansions ready, saying, ‘Here
he comes, here he comes’ so for the person who knows about the results
of his work, all the elements wait saying, ‘Here comes Brahman, here he
comes.’ This
understanding of death aligns with the idea that those who comprehend the
consequences of their actions are greeted by the elements, recognizing the
essence of Brahman within them.
In the Vedic perspective, death is not viewed as an end but
rather as a continuation of the cosmic order. The funeral rites, symbolized as
a sacrifice known as antyeshti, mark the culmination of one's journey in this
life. This ritual serves as a final offering, providing the individual with a
sense of fulfillment for a life well-lived while evoking reverence for the
natural cycle of existence in others.