Everything you need to know about why Hindus are burnt and not buried?
Death is an unavoidable chapter in the book of life and different cultures bid adieu to the departed in different ways. In Hindus, it is in the form of burning bodies, which is widely known as Antima Sanskar. But why do we burn the body, when most cultures prefer to bury their dead? Let’s explore the belief, or rather beliefs that veil this tradition:
• Sacrifice to The Lord of Fire: in Hinduism, almost all the ceremonies are incomplete without the holy sacrificial performed during ceremonies. Additionally, Agni is the purest of all the five elements; in terms of it being the only element that does not become dirty after being used. Therefore; it is believed that fire is the purest way to release the body to the 5 elements- where it came from. Thus, it is a way of praying to …show more content…
Why?
The reason behind this is that children have not yet developed an attachment with their body and aged men have no attachment left for it. Therefore, they can be buried as well. Holy men on the other hand have already detached from their bodies due to severe penance. They instead are buried in the lotus position.
• 5 Elements of Nature: the 5 elements are either (Prithivi), Water (Jal), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), and Sky (Akash). It is said that our bodies are composed of these elements and must return to it. By burning a body under the sky, with fire and air and returned to the earth after which the ashes are sent afloat in water. Thus, the body has been restored to the five elements of nature.
However, it is supposed that it is not mandatory for every Hindu to burn their dead. Where the followers of Shiva tend to adhere to burning; the followers of Vishnu tend to cremate. Apart from the above theories the general notion is that they would not like to have their loved one being consumed by vultures and other such organisms. Thus, the burning graves over burying
Death is an unavoidable chapter in the book of life and different cultures bid adieu to the departed in different ways. In Hindus, it is in the form of burning bodies, which is widely known as Antima Sanskar. But why do we burn the body, when most cultures prefer to bury their dead? Let’s explore the belief, or rather beliefs that veil this tradition:
• Sacrifice to The Lord of Fire: in Hinduism, almost all the ceremonies are incomplete without the holy sacrificial performed during ceremonies. Additionally, Agni is the purest of all the five elements; in terms of it being the only element that does not become dirty after being used. Therefore; it is believed that fire is the purest way to release the body to the 5 elements- where it came from. Thus, it is a way of praying to …show more content…
Why?
The reason behind this is that children have not yet developed an attachment with their body and aged men have no attachment left for it. Therefore, they can be buried as well. Holy men on the other hand have already detached from their bodies due to severe penance. They instead are buried in the lotus position.
• 5 Elements of Nature: the 5 elements are either (Prithivi), Water (Jal), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), and Sky (Akash). It is said that our bodies are composed of these elements and must return to it. By burning a body under the sky, with fire and air and returned to the earth after which the ashes are sent afloat in water. Thus, the body has been restored to the five elements of nature.
However, it is supposed that it is not mandatory for every Hindu to burn their dead. Where the followers of Shiva tend to adhere to burning; the followers of Vishnu tend to cremate. Apart from the above theories the general notion is that they would not like to have their loved one being consumed by vultures and other such organisms. Thus, the burning graves over burying