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What should be said on the death of a Hindu, instead of RIP?

I am given to understand that religions like Christianity and Islam use the phrase RIP in relation to a dead person, so that he/she rests in his/her grave till the judgement day.

Since Hinduism has no such concept, what alternative to RIP should Hindus use (in accordance with scriptures/dharma) to offer wishes towards a dead person?

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    sadgati prAptirastu can be an alternative
    – user16581
    Commented Apr 22, 2019 at 11:13
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    Something like "May you attain Moksha" might suite here (preferably in Sanskrit), as in Hindus "Moksha Prapti" is considered as the ultimate goal.
    – V.Aggarwal
    Commented Apr 22, 2019 at 11:34
  • @V.Aggarwal, what do you see people saying/wishing for the deceased person (preferably in rural areas) ?
    – spkakkar
    Commented Apr 22, 2019 at 11:37
  • @spkakkar Never observed anything like this, so I don't really know.
    – V.Aggarwal
    Commented Apr 22, 2019 at 11:39
  • @LazyLubber, please write your answer, with a brief explanation. I think sadgati is the word!
    – spkakkar
    Commented Apr 23, 2019 at 7:10

2 Answers 2

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Swami Vivekananda mentions :

in Western language, a man gives up the ghost, but in our language a man gives up his body. (CW).

So people in the Western Coutries identify the individual with the body of that individual which is buried. So there is the conecept of RIP.

The Hindus, when one dies, say that he or she has given up the body (deha-tyAga). So they cremate or burn the body and then do the srAddha rituals for the peace of the soul. It is believed that srAddha ceremony, if properly done, pleases the pitris and the God and the departed soul is able to move to heaven and enjoy bliss there.There is the notion of rebirth also.

So there is no concept of RIP in hindu culture.

The substitute of the wishful word is 'SvadhA' which means

sweet libation, oblation to the Manes (sanskritdictionary.com)

The oblation of food offered to the Pitṛs or Manes of deceased ancestors; स्वधासंग्रहतत्पराः (svadhāsaṃgrahatatparāḥ) R.1.66; Ms.9.142; Y.1.12. (wisdomlib)

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    I don't know why I see so many people here saying that Christians or other foreigners think that a person is their body or don't believe in souls. It is a commonplace in Euro-USian culture that the soul leaves the body at death.
    – Zanna
    Commented Apr 22, 2019 at 13:49
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    We don't say "left the ghost". Rather the "ghost" leaves the body. But we also say "soul" all the time. In fact Christians constantly talk about souls and many consider the idea of ghosts as superstition
    – Zanna
    Commented Apr 22, 2019 at 14:20
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    I concur that it is certainly not the case that Christians, at least, identify the body with the soul. In the west, Christians hold that the soul is one's "true being" and the body is merely a vessel. The difference with eastern religions arises as to what happens to the soul after death. Easterners frequently allow for the soul to continue here on Earth, often in another body (reincarnation). Christians hold that the soul goes elsewhere at death and never comes back to Earth. Judaism, interestingly, is famously ambiguous about what happens after death.
    – Him
    Commented Apr 22, 2019 at 19:46
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    @Scott I prefer to have faith in the words of Swami Vivekananda.Thanks:)
    – user17294
    Commented Apr 23, 2019 at 17:06
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    You may find this wikipedia page informative on the subject of the Christian concept of a soul.
    – Him
    Commented Apr 23, 2019 at 18:10
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We generally say 'Bhagwaan uski aatma ko shaanti de' means 'May God provide peace to his/her soul'. Since body is cremated and Soul cannot die, so the soul should have a positive/peaceful energy instead of negative/violent energy.

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    Namaste Shefali ji, according to my view, this phrase "aatma ko shaanti de" is semantic adoption of RIP. Modern Hindus have a total disconnect from their roots. They just copy the idea. Anyway, thanks for your time.
    – spkakkar
    Commented Apr 22, 2019 at 20:30
  • Welcome to HSE! You should cite sources.
    – TheLittleNaruto ♦
    Commented Jun 2, 2021 at 6:22

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