'Antya Samskara' and 'Pretatma'

  It is common practice to give some ultimate send off to the dead with some sort of rituals, antya samskara. Howoever, this is now not possible due to the hospitals refusing to give the dead bodies of persons due to Corona Virus. The fundamental principle is that the Soul, Atman, should rest in peace. Normally. the dead will come back and take another body. It is the blemished soul that traverses death after death taking new bodies. It is the unfinished job, unfulfilled desires, the karma klesha that prompt rebirth. Once a new body is taken (in any form) it is supported by food derived from soil. The body grows and deteriorates and dies since its capacity is limited. What runs the life of a jiva is the Manas (Mind), Buddhi, and Ahankara. These three or not physical entities. Hence they are always there even if the body they occupied goes! This is true of all the qualities acquired by the jivas. Even Gods and Goddesses are just Mind and Buddhi and Ahankara only. It is only a jnyani who is devoid of these due to Self-Realization. The yogi or a jnyani is not bothered by these three and are devoid of acquired qualities, guna. Hence, the soul withdraw along with the blemishes, acquired guna, in case of the fools, ajnyani, who do not strive for Self-Realization, Atmajnyan. Hence, the problem of the departed souls here is of those who are full of desire and unhappy! . 

These days, the death due to Corona is causing a new problem for the people who conduct rituals of death and ceremonies thereafter. The hospitals do not give the dead bodies in cases of Corona deaths! The dead bodies are unceremoniously disposed off, either burnt or buried. There are mass burials and electrically cremated. In such cases, the problems are of conducting rites and rituals for the dead. Now, the predicament is of two types: 1. Where do the dead go from here? 2. Who will lead them to heavens as believed, hitherto? One thing is certain that the pretatma should be guided by the sacred words (Veda mantra) with proper procedure. Yet another problem is that of 'rebirth'?

 Now, once they bury or burn the dead body the soul departs and waits for an opportunity to take another body. In case of some, the guided soul reaches as far as the Moon and returns! The yogi or jnyani who departs needs no rituals and will not return to this mortal world, earth, again! The soul of all other dead bodies roam about without any direction!

  However, ,all these are a myth or fiction or hearsay? The Garuds Purana gives us some idea. But, nobody knows for sure what all these stories are. The dead are buried and gone! That's all. Let's not worry. Otherwise, one should strive for total emancipation as guided by the Lord in the Gita. Trust in Him and go ahead. Live a life of absolute purity, that may help get rid of karma klesha.   

 However, some of us, the living, are worried about the dead who do not get the necessary rites and rituals? This is worry is now multiplied compounded by death due to the Corona Virus?