Shradhkarma: Understanding the Human Body and the Five Koshas
Shradhkarma : The Cycle of Life or Death relates to the belief that the human body is created from five Koshas: 1. Annamaya Kosha (body), 2. Pranamaya Kosha (life force), 3. Manomaya Kosha (mind), 4. Vijnanamaya Kosha (wisdom and knowledge), 5. Anandamaya Kosha (bliss). These five Koshas are interconnected, helping us transcend the cycle of life and death to attain liberation and merge with the Supreme.
After death, four Koshas remain in this world. These Koshas gradually leave the body, a process called Bhootgati. Eventually, when the body is cremated, the soul departs, and all the Koshas enter the Pretyoni. The Manomaya Kosha is particularly important in this yoni. The body ceases to exist at the time of death, but the soul experiences pleasure and pain due to the desires of this yoni.
Once these desires are fulfilled, this Kosha is also liberated. The remaining three Koshas move to Devgati, while Anandamaya Kosha is left alone, entering a state known as Ishtgati. Ishtgati represents the manifestation and completion of the physical universe. In this state, the being no longer feels pleasure or pain and reaches Surya Lok (the Sun World).
From Surya Lok, the soul returns to earth via the rays of the sun and re-enters the womb, taking birth as a human in the tenth month. Those who attain liberation after death also free their fire Koshas and do not suffer in any of these Gatis.
This natural cycle indicates that a human being faces two outcomes after death: Liberation or entrapment in the cycle of life and death. In the first case, the soul is freed from all suffering and desires, while in the second, it must undergo four Doshas and Yonis.
Bhoot Yoni ends when the body is cremated, meaning that there is little reason to perform Shradhkarma or Yagya for the deceased. However, Pind Daan can still be offered. The length of stay in Pretyoni depends on the desires of the deceased.
The soul cannot perform Karma or any spiritual actions; it neither experiences physical pain nor pleasure due to its Karma.
Happiness and sorrow are states of the mind. Both virtuous and sinful individuals attain liberation from their subtle bodies after experiencing the results of their Karmas (whether good or bad) and satisfying their desires. It is believed that by performing Shradhkarma during Shradh Paksha, the souls of deceased ancestors find peace, and they are liberated from their sins and bad deeds.
This is why those still living perform Shradhkarma for their deceased ancestors during Pitru Paksha, a fortnight dedicated to honoring ancestors through food offerings and rituals.
Some Pandits believe that Shradhkarma should be performed exclusively for ancestors who reside in Pitralok (the realm of ancestors). During the invocation, these ancestors are believed to arrive and accept the offerings made to them.
However, it is believed that ancestors who passed away with unfulfilled desires require assistance from their descendants to find relief from their suffering. Due to their non-existence in the physical world, they cannot free themselves, and their successors must perform rituals to help them.
Ancient scriptures provide examples of deceased ancestors appearing from Pitralok during Shradhkarma. There are also instances of great individuals accepting the worship offered by their descendants. Although the Vedas do not explicitly mention normal souls receiving homage, the tradition of Shradhkarma is more beneficial to the descendants than the ancestors, as it fulfills their religious duty to repay the debt owed to their forebears and helps liberate them from their sins.
Therefore, Shradhkarma should be performed with love and in accordance with the teachings of the Shastras.
