Om Namasivaya Nama:
JOURNEY OF A SOUL (JEEVATHMA) – BIRTH, LIFE & DEATH!
Death is nothing but
the Jeevathma (Soul) leaving a body and going to meet its next task. The gap
between the death and next birth is a state of deep sleep. The life energy has
no expiry, and it will never die nor take birth. Birth and death are for the
mortal body only. However, the Jeevathma gets painted by the Thriguna effects, and Karma stinks. This Jeevathma is also known as Sookshma Sareeram (subtle
body) made up of 17 elements (Dhathoos) as opposed to the mortal body of 7.
Once the Jeevathma leaves
the body it will get a name as “Chethana” also known as Prethathma
and by default, it will proceed to Yamapuri (The South Quarter - the abode of
Lord Yama Dharma Raja, situated around 2.076 million KM away from Earth in
subtle form). Whereas for Punyaathmas it is just a formality to sign the papers
of Yamalok and accept the Divya Sareeram (divine body) and proceed to
auspicious celestial worlds. Whereas, for Paapaathma a Yathana Sareeram
(suffering body) will be given and a long stay at Yamapuri is inevitable by
retaining its Prethathma name until the next birth.
When a person dies happily
(without much suffering), he/she gets the next birth quickly. This will help the Jeevathma to clear all its
accumulated debts as fast as possible and look forward to getting Moksham
(liberation from transmigration). People who die with lots of suffering will
not get the next birth easily. Some Scholars and Puranaas say that if a wise
person suffers too much in this life while death, God might have decided to
wipe off all his/her past Karmas in the current life itself and going to give
Moksham (liberation). Therefore, some suffering cannot be underestimated. It
is difficult to understand the divine play of God.
Kindly note, God has given
certain privileges as well as lifestyle to every Jeevathma before it gets
permanent residence in Paralokam or merges with Paramathma. Therefore, show
gratitude towards all living beings, God, and Nature. Life with a body is rare, too human life is highly precious. The whole cosmic world is having its
representation in our perishable body itself. Those who know this secret will always possess compassionate nature and respect human life along with
gratitude towards God. There are infinite Jeevathmaas (life energy) floating in our atmosphere and looking forward to getting human birth so that
it can try for Moksham and merge with Paramathma. In all other celestial worlds,
Jeevathmas can only enjoy limited benefits as per the credit balance in
their account. Whereas, to escape from transmigration the Jeevathma must enter
a human body and live on Earth to realize Paramathma. This rule is fixed by nature and
exceptions are rarest.
The unique quality of a
Jeevathma is that whenever it enters a particular body, it will do its duty
(Dharma) of that living being (whether animal or man or plant or any other
species) without any hesitation or error. Jeevathma is one of the most
obedient being in this universe.
After the death (leaving the
body), the Jeevathma is destined to live first three days in nearby water banks
(Jalam), 2nd three days in fire (Agni) and the next three
days in space (Aakasa) then finally on the 10th day it is allowed to stay in its own house
along with relatives and accept the last feast (Prabhootha Bali performed) from
family members. Usually, the Brahmins do not allow the Prethathma to roam
around due to their rituals. They invoke that Prethathma into a black stone
(Paashaana) and place it under the soil to offer water and food until 10 days.
On the 10th day, they will remove its Prethaa-bhootha-thwam
(inauspicious) and change the status to Pithru Bhoothamthma (auspicious). By
uniting them with their ancestors (Pithru Varga) they will stay in Pithrulok
until the next life. Ideally, the same Jeevathma will take birth in the same family/clan until it gets Moksha Prapthi. This cycle can continue up to 144 births.
After death, on the 10th day, the last Upa-Praana known as Dhananjaya will exit the mortal body (if not cremated) so that the body can decay. If already cremated, then the Upa-Praana will join the Mukhya Praana floating in space. These Dasa Praanaas will always maintain their subtle relationship with the same Jeevathma until the Jeevathma attains Moksham (Liberation). Please note within 10 days from the day of death, the Kartha (Pithru Karmi) will be offering 122 Sraardhams (oblation) to the departed Jeevathma.
The duty of a Kartha (living blood relatives) is such, he must ensure a permanent seat for his father/mother’s Jeevathma in Pithru Loka to receive a designation and legal status as Pithrus.
7 clans of Pithrus are known as “Paran-Parai”.
1. Prapithamahan/Prapithamahi (great grandfather/g.g. mother), 2. Pithamahan/Pithamahi
(grandfather/g. mother), 3. Pitha/Matha (own father/mother), 4. Self and own
brothers, 5. Puthran & his wife, 6. Pouthran & his wife, 7.
Pra-prouthran & his wife.
According to Rishis and Sastras, at
the time of death, the human mind will be in either of the four stages known as Artham
or Roudram or Dhanya, or Suklam. 1. Artham = captivated in
seeking the sensual pleasures (the reward is rebirth as grass and plants etc).
2. Roudram = Even after knowing the truth (nature will give us an opportunity to
turn our mind towards God but due to bad Karma and wrong habits, the mind
remains running after sexual pleasures. The reward is rebirth in Neecha Yonis
as an animal). 3. Dhanya = Being Jithendriyan by practice (conqueror of sensual
pleasures), the mind remains in God’s lotus feet (reward is rebirth in
Devalokam as Devan/Devi). 4. Suklam = mind merged in Paramathma Chaithanyam to
attain Moksham (Liberation).
After leaving the mortal body the Jeevathma continues its travels to its destination depending upon Karma's deeds. Jeevathma will travel along with the force of nature / cosmic move. The entire universe is rotating like an air ring known as expansion. All Jeevathmas are floating just like dust particles in this motion. However, as per the choice of Supreme Brahman, they get segregated due to their Karma deeds. Astrology is the only common source to find out its current status. By the grace of Brahman, some planetary positions were identified by the Maharshis and Astrologers. The planetary position to be considered at the time of death is Lagna. Some great scholars can get indications from the birth horoscope Lagna too.
If Venus
is positioned in Lagna or aspects or associated with death chart Lagna or Lagna
Lord, the Jeevathma after completing the formalities will leave for Pithru
Lok (Chandra Mandalam), if Jupiter/Guru is positioned then it will
go to Deva Lok/celestial worlds if Mercury/Budhan or Saturn/Sani
is positioned or associated then it will proceed to Naraka Lok/Hell.
Note: All you need to know is whether these planets were occupied in the death Lagna or have any associations based on the set rules given here. Lagna could be any one of the 12 Rasis. Unless you know astrology, it is difficult to understand these combinations.
There are many rules for an
association of a planet with other planets. The main ones are: (V = Venus), (J
= Jupiter), (M = Mercury), and (S = Saturn).
1. V/J/M/S Planet placement in
Lagna (top priority and confirmed positive result).
2. V/J/M/S Planet aspect to Death
Lagna
3. Death Lagna lord positioned in
Venus or Jupiter or Mercury or Saturn’s house
4. Venus or Jupiter or Mercury or
Saturn positioned in death Lagna lord’s stars.
5. Death Lagna itself in the house of
Venus or Jupiter or Mercury or Saturn.
If natural malefic such as
Saturn or afflicted Mercury is associated with death Lagna or Lagna Lord, then the
Paraloka Vaasam (stay) will be longer and more difficult. Whereas if associated
with Venus or Jupiter, then the enjoyment will be for a longer period.
If Dhaayaathis (blood
relatives) do legitimate Dhaana and Dharmic rituals (charity) or special
prayers on behalf of the deceased during the final rites, such good deed’s
merits will be credited to the deceased account, and his/her Prethathvam will
be replaced with purity and gets an entry to Pithru or other celestial worlds.
This is the reason why we are doing so many rituals even after death. It is
very difficult to estimate who did what during life - because Karma
Rahasyam and its rewards are unexplainable. Due to this consideration, if the
Jeevathma was supposed to go to hell can be redirected to different Lokaas
(world) on account of new Punyam generated by his/her Dhaayaathis during the
first 12 days of Pithru Karmas. Kindly note the rituals will differ according
to Varna Aasramas. Eventually, everyone does something good for their
ancestors!
Do you want to know why
Pithrus are cursing its relatives? (Usually, most astrologers pinpoint
this issue while reading horoscope). Because, when the Jeevathma tries to enter
the Pithru Loka, the authorities will deny its entry due to Prethathvam.
Accordingly, the Prethathmaas and their ancestors will curse their relatives
out of no choice. (Pithru and Pretha Saap Dosham). The power of the curse will look
for its same DNA living on this Earth, especially, those who are enjoying the
material comforts provided by the deceased.
Pithru Karmas can be conducted either by Vaideeha Path (Vedic approach) or Avaideeha Path (non-Vedic approach). Pithrus does not demand too many things except a few grains of raw or cooked rice, little water, sesame, curd, and ghee. A very simple 5 food items that can earn huge blessings on Kartha. Out of these five items, even if we offer water alone that is more than sufficient (The Panchanga Thidhi Devatha is the significator of the Water element). In other words, Jeevathma should not de-hydrate whereby the living DNA (Jeeva Rasam) of blood relatives will get suffocation or depletion. This means the side effects will be reflected in those living blood relatives on this earth. One can perform the rituals according to his/her Kula Dharma. Please don’t try to adopt Anya Dharma to satisfy ancestors, it will not work. According to our Varna Aasrama Dharma, everyone is expected to do as per their Kulaa-chaaram. At the end of the day, all Jeevathmaas will reach the right destination according to their Varnaa-srama Dharma only. Everyone is expected to perform their final rites and follow-up Srardhams only as per their Varnaa-asrama Dharma system. We need to do this meticulously to make sure that the Jeevathma’s journey is comfortable and help them to reach Pithru-Loka or other celestial divine worlds. Change of religion is only in the mind not in DNA!
Five types of Srardhams are
recommended by the Dharma Sasthram. They are 1. Paarvana Homa Srardham,
2. Hiranya Srardham, 3. Tharpana Srardham, 4. Anna
Srardham, 5. Smarana Srardham. Out of these, ideally, 1, 2 & 3 are
religiously recommended for Brahmins and 4 & 5 for other Varnees. Now it is
Kali Yugam and no special importance is given to any particular Varna Aasrama,
therefore everyone can do whatever is possible on the Srardham day (Thidhi).
This is the least thing we can do for our ancestors who sacrificed their lives
for our comfort.
Please note our ancestors used to
conduct 96 Srardhams in a year for one deceased!
The departed Jeevathma will eventually attain Sadh Gathi (Good Paralokam) if one of these conditions is met at the time of death. They are Utharayana Punya Kaalam, Krishna Paksham, Day time, Thought of God, hearing the holy sound OM or any divine mantra or Paropakaara Chintha, wearing or associated with Vibhoothi, Gopi Chandhan, Kumkum, Rudraksha Maala, Thulasi Maala, Punya Nadhi Theertham, holy books, holy Yantras or Symbols, Mangalya Soothram, Upaveetham, having accumulated holy credits, etc. Alternatively one can donate these auspicious divine items while living (Dhaan in Advance), or blood relatives i.e., Dhayaathees after death. There are 84 Dhaanams prescribed in our Sasthram. All or at least 24 Dhaanams are to be offered during the initial Pithru Karma.
There is a saying that one’s birth should
be during Sukla Paksham and death occur in Krishna Paksham to enjoy Iha Para Sukham.
In the death horoscope, if the Yogi
Lord (In Panchang the Yoga lord is called Yogi) is posited in the Yogi stars or
its friends’ stars then also the Paralokam life will be excellent. Such people
might have done lots of holy deeds while living and even if nobody
offers any external support to such Jeevathmas, still they will find their own
way to enter the divine Paralokam i.e., Pithru Devathaas will help such
Jeevathmas to attain Sadh Gathi. Those who attained children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren also get seats in celestial divine worlds.
Kindly note all Boothas (living
elements or beings) are under the control of Lord Siva, Prethas (departed
souls) are under the command of Lord Vishnu and Pisachas are under the control
of Sakthi. Therefore, to remove their evil effects, the sastras recommend we conduct Saiva, Vaishna, and Saaktha poojas respectively. Please note these
vibrations are felt in the Sookshma Sareeram (subtle form) and hence are not visible to the naked eye or among normal people. They don’t have the physical body since the
Earth element is missing in their body constitution. They are simply dark
negative energy in the form of dark air (just like carbon dioxide).
A person who empties the Sanchitha
Karma deeds can alone achieve Moksham (Liberation). Whereas the mortal body can
achieve Mukthi from temporary issues. Sanchitha and Prarabdha Karma deeds will
follow the Sookshma Sareeram (Jeevathma/Soul). Sanchitha can be eradicated by
chanting God’s name, especially Lord Siva, and Prarabdham can be nullified by
undergoing the Karma deeds while living. Kindly seek the help of God to
fulfill the Prarabdha Karma and avoid doing non-Vedic
Prayaschithams/Remedies. Usually, non-Vedic Prayaschitham may provide temporary
relief, but it will surely produce more sin and bad Karma deeds that will mess
up the next life because unlawful activities may be initiated by the doer
involving Himsa (torture) to others.
Due to past good karma deeds, a
person gets a sound and self-sufficient life in this birth. However, that person
while living encash all good rewards quickly without knowing that these
comforts are due to the good deeds of the past, and it is going to dry up soon!
This is the fact and effects of Maya (Goddess of illusion). However, even after
knowing this truth by himself OR being reminded by the scriptures or Wisemen, never
bothered to recredit the encashed good deeds by doing meritorious acts. One
must thank God and continue with meritorious acts so that when he/she meets the
final day, there will be surplus credits balance in his/her account. Many
people do more harm to others and to nature owing to the current
comfortable life and accumulate demerits. Please note, no one is permanent on
this Earth therefore one day, at a destined time the last breath will take
place and the Jeevathma leaves the body with an accumulated net balance of
demerits (Paapam). An intelligent person must remember to accumulate maximum
Punyam (merits) during life before all Punya gets exhausted, so that the
Paraloka life will be great and even after taking re-birth on Earth it will be
a good life.
After understanding all this
information, I would like to strongly recommend a simple prayer to Almighty God
on daily basis. That.
Anaayaasena Maranam, Vina Dhainyena Jeevatham,
Marana Samaye Thava Paada Darsanam, Dhehime Paramaathmane!
Om Nama Parvathi Pathaye Hara Hara Mahadeva
Authored By R V Venkiteswaran (Venky) – April
2023
Om That Sath Brahmarpanam Asthu
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