140
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Why do Hindus believe in cremation instead of burial?
Earlier answerers have given a sociological explanation for the cremation ritual, but I'll try to provide a purely theological explanation.
In Hinduism, every jiva is made of five Mahabhootas, namely, ...
- 7,516
37
votes
Why do Hindus believe in cremation instead of burial?
Adding to @A runnigMind's answer:
Cremation of the body reminds that the body is not important but the Atman is. Body perishes but Atman exists eternally. This is in contrast with say Christianity ...
- 6,898
34
votes
Accepted
Does the karma from the previous life affects the current life?
Yes, it does.
To know why we have to reborn even though we underwent & experienced some karmic outcome in the same life we need to understand the three types of Karma, viz. sanchita or arjita(...
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20
votes
What is the truth behind the practice of Sati? How is it related to Hinduism?
The "Sati Pratha" has been extolled in Hindu Sastras but none mention it as something mandatory.
So,it is upto the wives to decide and can't be enforced upon them as a "Sastra Vachan"(a directive ...
- 107k
20
votes
Accepted
Death of Lord Shiva?
Lord Shiva is unborn and eternal. There is no birth and no death for Him. Lord Shiva is Brahman.
This is what Mahabharatha says about Lord Shiva
Mahadeva is Eternal Brahman. Persons endued with Yoga; ...
- 4,317
19
votes
Why do Hindus believe in cremation instead of burial?
In addition to Vineet Menon's comments, that Agni (Fire) is the purest element of the 5 elements (Mahabhutas) that is accessible to man - (The other begin Ether (Nabha or Akasha) is intangible and is ...
- 661
18
votes
Accepted
What happens after death?
Because no one has actually seen what happens after death, there are multiple beliefs regarding this. But the yogis through their eyes of knowledge know the movement of the beings before and after ...
- 26.4k
18
votes
Accepted
What does Hinduism say about Suicide?
As per the scriptures, one who commits suicide becomes a ghost:
udbandhanamṛtā ye ca viṣaśastrahatāśca ye
ātmopaghātino ye ca viṣūcyādihatāstathā [GP - 2.22.8]
Meaning
One who dies by ...
- 26.4k
18
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What is the truth behind the practice of Sati? How is it related to Hinduism?
According to Swami Vivekananda the practice was limited and was outlawed in the mid 19th century. He says that although the British took steps to formally outlaw it, it was already being condemned at ...
- 23.1k
17
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How do you know death is near for a person as per scriptures? Is there any reference?
Some signs, which foretell that death is nearing, are given in this Linga PurAna chapter:
Suta Maha Muni indicated certain premonitions of untoward tidings and
of death when human beings ought to ...
- 107k
15
votes
Why do Hindus believe in cremation instead of burial?
I agree with the current answers, I just wanna add little more information.
they cremate out of common sense.
If we bury that place has to be dedicated to single person
Such place cannot be used by ...
- 5,467
14
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Is organ donation allowed? Have any Hindu acharyas commented on this practice?
I believe, organ donation is not a bad practice. Its a religion of Humanity where we can help someone even after your death. Its one way you can help someone after your death. As per my knowledge ...
- 296
13
votes
Accepted
Why is the concept of Divine judgement not given much importance in Hinduism?
"But this concept is conspicuously absent in Hinduism" Nothing is farther from the truth. The Garuda Purana describes in great detail how Yama the god of death judges each soul based on ...
- 94.9k
13
votes
Accepted
How do the departed souls get the food given by their siblings?
Summary- Though the gross offerings remain here, the essence of these offerings is delivered to the departed ancestors. The ones who carry the offering to them are called the Pitr devatas and the ...
- 9,333
12
votes
Do Gods die in Hinduism?
Rama and Lakshmana catch a brief glimpse of the gods in the Aranya Kanda of the Ramayana. (Indra is in a hurry to leave because it's not the right time to reveal to Rama who he really is.) Rama ...
- 94.9k
12
votes
How do you know death is near for a person as per scriptures? Is there any reference?
Some signs, which foretell that death is nearing, are given in
43rd chapter of Markandeya Purana (Sanskrit shlokas and Hindi Translation)
19th chapter of Vayu Purana (Sanskrit shlokas and Hindi ...
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11
votes
Why do Hindus believe in cremation instead of burial?
why-do-hindus-believe-in-cremation-instead-of-burial ?
One of the reasons and explanations why Hindus believe cremation of the dead is also given in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - Adhyaya 5 - Brahmana ...
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11
votes
What happens after death?
Every living thing is having "Athma" or "soul". In Hinduism, body is illusion and the "Athma" is true and the reality. After death, Athma will take rebirth until it is merged with the supreme one ...
- 7,893
11
votes
Accepted
How was Yama born and how did he become the king of Yamaloka?
Yama is the son of Surya the sun god and his first wife Sanjana. As I discuss in this answer, Vishwakarma the divine architect married his daughter Sanjana to Surya, but she couldn't bear the ...
- 94.9k
11
votes
Accepted
Will the atma get moksha if a person dies unnaturally?
No, the atma will not get moksha by such deaths. The default rule is, a person dying such unnatural death as suicide, weapons, etc. will become a ghost:
udbandhanamṛtā ye ca viṣaśastrahatāśca ye
...
- 26.4k
11
votes
Accepted
Does re-birth take place immediately after death according to Hinduism?
No, not immediately. As per the scriptures, depending upon his good/virtuous and bad/sinful actions, the jivatama will be taken to Yama and after judgement he will first experience the results of his ...
- 26.4k
11
votes
Accepted
If soul gets rebirth into another body, will pinda pradanam and shraddha rituals reach that soul?
The same question was asked to Sri Swami Sivananda. He answers this question in his book "May I Answer That?"
267. When the Jiva undergoes transmigration and takes another birth after ...
- 30.5k
10
votes
Accepted
How did Arjuna die in Mahabharata?
Arjuna died twice. Let me address each of the three stories you mentioned:
During the end of their time in the forest, all the Pandavas except Yudhishthira temporarily died after drinking water from ...
- 94.9k
10
votes
Accepted
What can one do to enjoy death or the dying process?
How can someone(the one who is dying) enjoy his death moment?
Yes, one can also even enjoy his death hours or last days or death moment, not by doing things pleasurable to him. But through Gyana or ...
- 31.4k
10
votes
Accepted
Do all Non-Hindus remain as Pretas after death?
Usana Smriti's Chapter 7 has the following verse:
It is laid down that Sapindikaran, S'raddha should be preceeded by the
Daiva, (i.e., offerings made to the Deities). There one should invite
the ...
- 107k
9
votes
Death in family - does a marriage need to be postponed?
Note: The time period for Sutak changes with Region and Caste across India. So, it is always best to ask your knowledgeable elders or your family priest. However, I provide opinion of Sri Brahmasri ...
- 30.5k
9
votes
Accepted
Did Vivekananda prophesy he would die before the age of 40? Why didn't he prolong his life through yoga?
Yes it is quite well-known that he did. You can find it being mentioned in this PDF (Swami Vivekananda - A
Biography by Swami
Nikhilananda), on pp 190.
At the end of an hour his hands trembled a ...
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