Text 339434: Today 05:20 /35 lines/ Suhotra Swami Comment on: Text 339394 by New Raghunatha (das) BCS (NL)
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The exact answer to these questions depends upon the specific case. With persons of different karma, different events take place at the time of death.
1. In this age of Kali, many persons are destined for ghostly life after death. The Garuda Purana declares that that person for whom the relatives do not perform the proper cremation ceremony and sraddha offering will become “preta” (ghost) instead of “pitri” (exalted forefather). The people of Kali regularly perform sinful activities that lead to ghostly life. So if one becomes a ghost, he will linger with the dead body for a long time unless the body is burned. In the burning ceremony, the skull of the dead body is cracked to force the soul to depart. So for many ordinary people, that is the moment the soul departs. If the body is not burned but buried, the ghost can remain for years, even centuries. If the person was pious or spiritually inclined, the soul departs with the last breath and goes to its next destination.
2. For devotees, Krsna leads the soul away from the body at the time of death. For pious persons, the soul is lead away by the “amanava purusha” or guardian angel. For sinful persons, the soul is dragged away by the Yamadutas.
3. One can chant Hare Krsna for the person who is about to depart. Also, holy pictures should be set up around the person. Insence should be offered and burnt. Sacred water (Ganges or Yamuna water, or water offered to the Deity) should be sprinkled on the body. As the person leaves the body, a Tulasi leaf should be placed upon the tongue.
4. Again, this depends on the personďs particular karma. Pure devotees go to Krsna. Devotees who did not completely surrender to Krsna will go to the heavenly planets, or take birth on earth in wealthy or aristocratic families, or if very advanced in, in a family of devotees. Pious persons will go to the moon or pitriloka. Impious persons go to hell and are reborn as animals.
Text 339394: Yesterday 21:37 /15 lines/ New Raghunatha (das) BCS (NL)
Receiver: Suhotra Swami <7163> -- Received: Today 05:03
Receiver: (Have) Danda (Will Travel) <5> Sender: Suhotra Swami
Subject: questions
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Dear Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. One of the Bhagavad Gita students is working with persons who are very ill and mostly the die shortly. She has many questions on this subject. Please answer the following questions for me. I have an appointment with on friday.
1. How long does the soul accompany the body after death?
2. How is the soul removed from the body?
3. What can one do if one knows that a person is going to die shortly?
4. What happens with the soul after it is removed from the body till it gets a new body.
Thank you very much, Hare Krishna.
Your servant,