DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.635#0210
CEREMONIES FOR THE DEAD 197
spirit to obtain a form, or preta-body, which will carry-
it on its appointed pilgrimage. This is supposed to
be effected by the pinda offerings, the food presented
to the spirit (consisting of barley or rice-flour, mixed
with sesamum flour, sugar, and honey), and by the
recitation of appropriate mantras. The first day's
ceremony furnishes the spirit with a head, the next
a neck and shoulders. When the preta-body is fully
formed, on the tenth day, it feeds on the pinda and
offerings of milk.
On the thirteenth day after death, the soul is
equipped for its solemn journey. There are twelve
stages in the pilgrimage, each stage taking a month
to accomplish. Throughout the twelve months the
relatives follow the departed spirit with the Shradha
ceremonies, sixteen in number, performed at stated
times to provide it with sustenance and to prepare
it for the goal.
When that at last is reached, the preta-body is
dissolved. The soul now becomes a Pitri, and
assumes another body adapted for enjoying heavenly
bliss, or for suffering the pains of hell. In this state
it appears before the judge, Yama, the Lord of Pitris.
To those who have lived virtuous lives, Yama has
a pleasant and glorious aspect when he receives the
pilgrims into the bliss of Swarga. He has four arms,
bearing a conch-shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus.
He rides, like Vishnu, on a mighty eagle, Garuda.
A splendid crown adorns his brow, and jewelled orna-
ments glitter in his ears. His complexion is like the
blue lotus, a gracious smile beams on his lips. He
wears a sacred thread like gold on his breast, and
a garland of forest flowers on his neck.
spirit to obtain a form, or preta-body, which will carry-
it on its appointed pilgrimage. This is supposed to
be effected by the pinda offerings, the food presented
to the spirit (consisting of barley or rice-flour, mixed
with sesamum flour, sugar, and honey), and by the
recitation of appropriate mantras. The first day's
ceremony furnishes the spirit with a head, the next
a neck and shoulders. When the preta-body is fully
formed, on the tenth day, it feeds on the pinda and
offerings of milk.
On the thirteenth day after death, the soul is
equipped for its solemn journey. There are twelve
stages in the pilgrimage, each stage taking a month
to accomplish. Throughout the twelve months the
relatives follow the departed spirit with the Shradha
ceremonies, sixteen in number, performed at stated
times to provide it with sustenance and to prepare
it for the goal.
When that at last is reached, the preta-body is
dissolved. The soul now becomes a Pitri, and
assumes another body adapted for enjoying heavenly
bliss, or for suffering the pains of hell. In this state
it appears before the judge, Yama, the Lord of Pitris.
To those who have lived virtuous lives, Yama has
a pleasant and glorious aspect when he receives the
pilgrims into the bliss of Swarga. He has four arms,
bearing a conch-shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus.
He rides, like Vishnu, on a mighty eagle, Garuda.
A splendid crown adorns his brow, and jewelled orna-
ments glitter in his ears. His complexion is like the
blue lotus, a gracious smile beams on his lips. He
wears a sacred thread like gold on his breast, and
a garland of forest flowers on his neck.