The Antyeshti Sanskaar is the last of the most important 16 sanskaars described in our scriptures. The term "Sanskaar" is often interpreted to mean "rights of passage". This description aptly fits the Antyeshti Sanskaar more than any of the others. Death, to the Hindu, is merely the end of one phase of a long journey - for some - to God realization. The journey of the Atma embodied in a subtle form continues in the hereafter with the advent of death. This journey is described as being, for the sinner, a torturous one, beset with many difficulties, dangers, trials and tribulations. It is with a view to making this passage into the hereafter as easy and as simple as possible that the Hindu performs the Antyeshti Sanskaar for his beloved ones with great faith, love and devotion (shradhaa), so that the atma of that individual will attain a good state (sadgati) in the hereafter.

Commencing with pre-death rituals and observances, each chapter deals with a different aspect of the sanskaar as described hereunder.

Chapter 1.

This chapter deals with those rites that should be performed, if possible, when death is imminent, as well as the procedure to be followed just after death.

Note from Hindisongstt: There are summaries of ten more chapters, as well as four appendices as part of the Introduction. Purchase this very interesting and informative compilation to see more.

The survival of Sanatan Dharma in Trinidad and Tobago has been due largely to the devotion and dedication of our Pandits. They have been the custodians of our many and varied rites and rituals, from the simplest to the most elaborate and complex. It is with great pleasure that I commend to them this handbook on after-death ceremonies.

A handbook of this nature is long overdue and most welcome. No effort has been spared to ensure that the details of the various ceremonies are carefully presented in a clear and concise manner to facilitate a greater understanding of the various procedures.

That such a handbook has been prepared and produced by our local Pandits is adequate testimony to the calibre and compitence of our Pandits. I wish to compliment and congratulate these Pandits, especially Pandit Khemraj Vyas, who, under the guidance of Pandit Dr. Samsundar Parasram prepared this handbook. I feel confident that it will impact positively on our efforts to preserve Sanatan Dharma.

Satnarayan Maharaj

Secretary General

Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha

Of Trinidad and Tobago Inc.

 Dedicated

To

Pandit Ramdath Vyas

You may not have written a word, but

without you not a word would

have been written

Table Of Contents

    Introduction

1. Pre-death ceremonies

    And Observances

2. Funeral Service

3. Rites of the Second Day

4. Dashgaatra

5. Madhyam Shodashi

6. Uttam Shodashi

7. Sapinda Shraadha (males)

8. Sapinda Shraadha (females)

9. Tarpan

10. Havan

11. Gita Path

12. Appendix I - Bhajans

13. Appendix II - Gita Verses

14. Appendix III - Gita Dhyaan

15. Appendix IV - Gita Mahatmyam

PREFACE

"Saral Antyeshti Sanskaar Vidhi" has been written to meet the need for a handbook that unravels and simplifies this complex topic that is available in a number of Sanskrit / Hindi texts. It is hoped that it will act as a guide to both our younger purohits as well as our more experienced ones.

In preparing this handbook, due considerations have been given to the relevant details available in the Garud Puraan, the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Atharva Veda, as well as directions laid down in the various padhatis on this subject, such as Pret Manjari. The prevailing  customs and traditions of the land have also been taken into account.

In this handbook, we have attempted to present the various aspects of our pre-and post-death rites, rituals and ceremonies in a simple, clear and easy-to-follow manner. Instructions are concise, and are given in English to facilitate greater understanding.

Each ceremony is presented in a seperate chapter and can be followed step-by-step to its conclusion. This will necessarily mean that certain procedures and mantras are repeated in different sections of the book. This is intentional, as it reduces the need to have to flip through pages, backward and forward, to locate procedures and mantras. However, tarpan and the concluding Havan, which are common to the Madhyam Shodashi and Uttam Shodashi are given in separate chapters.

Unlike other available texts in  Sanskrit and Hindi, the sapinda ceremony for males and for females have been given in seperate chapters, so that the Pandit can easily follow the appropriate section to its conclusion.

This handbook is the result of many hours of research and discussion, conducted over a period of several years, by a group of devoted and dedicated Pandits under the guidance and leadership of Pandit Dr. Samsundar Parasram. At each stage of its preparation, he read through the manuscript making corrections, comments and suggestions for improvement.

I wish to profusely thank also Pandits Baldeo Maharaj, Bhadase Seetahal Maraj, Krishendath Byragie, Hardeo Maharaj, Ravindranath Maharaj, Sundar Maharaj, Randhir Maharaj and Ashram B. Maharaj who have all contributed in no small measure to this publication.

Without the co-operation and encouragement of my family I would not have been able to devote the many long hours necessary to complete this venture. Many thanks are due to them. If this publication is of any assistance to our Pandits then our efforts would have been rewarded.

Pandit Khemraj Vyas