Hindu funeral rites (Antyesti Samskara) are among the most sacred ceremonies, guiding the soul on its journey beyond the physical body. These shlokas offer comfort to the grieving, honor the departed, and affirm the eternal nature of the Atman. They are recited during cremation, prayer meetings, and remembrance ceremonies.
01
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः। न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः॥
Nainam chhindanti shastrani nainam dahati pavakah, na chainam kledayantyapo na shoshayati marutah
✦
The soul cannot be cut by weapons, burned by fire, moistened by water, or dried by wind. The Atman is eternal and indestructible.
Om tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam, urvarukamiva bandhanat mrityormukshiya mamritat
✦
We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who nourishes all. May He liberate us from death, as a ripe fruit separates from the vine, and grant us immortality.
Rigveda 7.59.12 (Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra)
04
ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय। मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय॥
Om asato ma sadgamaya, tamaso ma jyotirgamaya, mrityorma amritam gamaya
✦
Lead us from untruth to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. This prayer affirms that death is not the end but a transformation.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28
05
देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा। तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति॥
Dehino'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara, tatha dehantara praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati
✦
Just as the soul passes through childhood, youth, and old age in this body, so it passes into another body at death. The wise are not deluded by this.
Bhagavad Gita 2.13
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