Hindu religion says complete transmigration happens only when Atma is free of all worldly attachments. But saints, holy men and children are buried.
Late Mahant Narendra Giri, the erstwhile president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad was given bhoo-samadhi (burial) two days after his death. As per Hindu rituals, the dead is cremated and not buried. Mahant Narendra Giri was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his room in Baghambari Math.
However, a common question arises as to why are holy Hindus given samadhi and not cremated when they pass away. There are exceptions in the Hindu religion where the dead bodies of saints, holy men, and children are buried. Hindu religion says complete transmigration happens only when the Atma is free or mukt of all worldly attachments.
1. Cremation practices based on two fundamental tenets of Hinduism
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Cremation and samadhi practices are based on two related and fundamental tenets of Hinduism - the belief in the transmigration of the soul (Atma) and reincarnation (Punarjanm). The Gita says, "Just as old clothes are cast off and new one worn, the soul leaves the body after death and enters a new one."
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2. Complete transmigration possible only when Atma is free
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Hindu religion says complete transmigration happens only when the Atma is free or mukt of all worldly attachments. Hindus believe the body dies but Atma may continue to hold on to attachments till the mortal remains exist in physical form. Hence it is believed that cremating the body completely destroys worldly attachment paving the way for freeing Atma from earthly needs.
3. Holy men and saints buried in lotus position
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Holy men and saints, however, are buried in the lotus position (padmasan) as they are believed to have attained a level of detachment. Holy men and saints attain the saintly position only after renouncing all worldly attachments and pleasures.
(Image Source: IANS)
4. For holy men and saints cremation redundant
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Holy men and saints are believed to have attained freedom from all worldly desires through piety, penance, rigorous spiritual training or through good deeds done in previous lives which makes cremation redundant.
(Image Source: IANS)
5. Children are buried and not cremated
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Children, on the other hand, are buried as the soul has not stayed in the body long enough to develop any worldly attachment.
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