10-01-2006, 03:08 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->(Bodhi @ Sep 30 2006, 07:09 AM)
Was the burial usual method of last rites in ancient India? If yes, when did it change for burning ("daah" sanskar)? Do Vedas mention anything about last rites?
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The ancient Hindus did know both cremation and burial as systems. Cremation was the dominant and normal custom, burial was practised by some sections. Cremation followed by burial of ashes in urns was an intermediate custom:
Rgveda X.15.14 and Yajurveda-VajSamhita 18.60 give the following
funeral modes in a ritual way:
1. agnidagdha (RV)= agniShvaatta (YV)
2. anagnidagdha (RV)= anagniShvaatta (YV)
RV X.18.11-12 describes that the dead goes to mother earth which is
to enclose him as a mother covers her child with a garment. [burial]
Atharvaveda XVIII.2.34-35 elaborates more on this, and gives the
following details:
1. agnidagdha = ritually cremated [35]
a. dagdha = simply cremated (ashes in water)
b. paropta = sown/planted elsewhere (ashes in urns under ground)
2. anagnidagdha = ritually not cremated [35]
a. nikhaata = simply buried
b. uddhita = exposed (like the Parsis)
Nikhaata and Paropta are first mentioned, indicating the modes
connected with putting the body or remains in the ground. Dagdha and
Uddhita indicate the modes which deal with putting the remains above
the ground.
Was the burial usual method of last rites in ancient India? If yes, when did it change for burning ("daah" sanskar)? Do Vedas mention anything about last rites?
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The ancient Hindus did know both cremation and burial as systems. Cremation was the dominant and normal custom, burial was practised by some sections. Cremation followed by burial of ashes in urns was an intermediate custom:
Rgveda X.15.14 and Yajurveda-VajSamhita 18.60 give the following
funeral modes in a ritual way:
1. agnidagdha (RV)= agniShvaatta (YV)
2. anagnidagdha (RV)= anagniShvaatta (YV)
RV X.18.11-12 describes that the dead goes to mother earth which is
to enclose him as a mother covers her child with a garment. [burial]
Atharvaveda XVIII.2.34-35 elaborates more on this, and gives the
following details:
1. agnidagdha = ritually cremated [35]
a. dagdha = simply cremated (ashes in water)
b. paropta = sown/planted elsewhere (ashes in urns under ground)
2. anagnidagdha = ritually not cremated [35]
a. nikhaata = simply buried
b. uddhita = exposed (like the Parsis)
Nikhaata and Paropta are first mentioned, indicating the modes
connected with putting the body or remains in the ground. Dagdha and
Uddhita indicate the modes which deal with putting the remains above
the ground.