Madhava Turumella's blog

Hindu funeral and what it really means for a Hindu

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:20:16 +0000

I can die in peace, says Hindu, after judges back fight for open-air pyre

Personally I am delighted to learn that UK has a loving and accommodative law with a provision for Hindus to grieve in their own way.

As a Hindu priest, I attended many funerals but unfortunately I always left the crematoriums with a feeling that the whole process is too sanitized. The mere 30 minutes that a Hindu family gets to grieve is not really enough. Also the funeral is not particularly following the instructions of Hindu scriptures.

For the followers of Hinduism death is a very important final step of soul's rights of passage called Samskaras. For Hindus the soul makes a wonderful journey from womb to the tomb. The soul gets embodied during the first right of passage called Garbhadana (conception) and the soul gets out of embodiment during the last and very important right of passage called "Antyesti" (funeral).

Hindu scriptures are very instructional in how this final rites have to be performed. These are called as "Apara Karmas" in Sanskrit. For Hindus funeral is not merely burning the body! It is a very important ritual.

It is a wide-spread misunderstanding that Hindus just burn the bodies of their departed. Traditional Hindus do not see it that way! They see the funeral as a place where they can finally meet and greet and offer their respects to one of the very important Gods called "Kravyadha" also known as "Dakshinagni". (Rigveda 10:18:12) As per Hindu scriptures this God acts like a courier between the earth and heavens. When you want to post an article to someone, you make sure that there are correct stamps, and the address is properly written! Same way the funeral for Hindus is giving a proper send-off by invoking the right God.

During the funeral the Body is accompanied by the relatives (women and children below 18 years are not allowed or discouraged from attending).

The Hindu scripture says it is two of those male elderly relatives get the good fortune of being with the body till it becomes ash. During that time, as per scripture, they get rarely a once in life time opportunity to pray to the God Kravyadha who is responsible for taking the souls to Heaven.

In west the funeral tradition (eg. placing the body in coffin) is geared towards preparing the body towards the day of resurrection. Where as Hindus and other dharmic faiths (eg. Buddhists) prepare the dead body for reincarnation. So for Hindus it is a faith based process.

Bhagawad Gita, which is a core faith book for Hindus clearly states about reincarnation:

vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya navani grhnati naro'parani

tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany anyani samyati navani dehi

Chapter 2, verse 22

Translation:

As a person gives up old and worn out garments and accepts new apparel, similarly the embodied soul giving up old and worn out bodies verily accepts new bodies.

So within the above context of "Preparing the soul for reincarnation by offering the departed into the hands of a proper God" is very important for Hindus. Not performing such rites are tantamount to sending a package to wrong address. It is advised in Hindu traditions, especially in a scripture called Garuda Purana which deals exclusively on the subject of Death, that the Hindu souls --- that did not receive proper Hindu funeral --- will wander in nether worlds for a long time. So I have often noticed that relatives of the departed, who have knowledge of the scripures, go through this huge amount of guilt! So I very much understand what Mr. Ghai (who won the case) must be feeling like...

So for Hindus the funeral is a very serious matter. Therefore Hindus want to make sure the soul is offered in to the loving hands of God Kravyadha who makes it swift and allows the soul to travel peacefully towards reincarnation. Unfortunately, so far it is understood that within UK law, there is no provision for such process to take place for Hindus. But I am glad now we know that there is such a provision and that there a loving allowance with in UK law for the Hindu relatives can grieve properly.

Those who would like to read more of this case can click the following link:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7021722.ece

It is unfortunate that some of the Hindus -- who did not study Hinduism in depth, can not appreciate the scriptural instruction that the soul is given in to the hands of God Kravyadha --- think that it is mere burning of the dead body. I agree when you do not look at the Hindu funeral from the Hindu reincarnation point of view, when you can't see the funeral from a Hindu perspective, it appears as horrendous. But it is all crystal clear for those who properly studied Hinduism and recognize the presence of a God at the funeral place. Instead of keeping the Human death away from consciousness, by pushing the red-button and closing the curtains at the crematorium, Hindu followers are encouraged to assimilate the fact what happens to their body after death. Hindu funeral also has deep philosophical significance.

I must admit that I do not see the judgement as a clearance to have open funeral pyres wherever one wanted!!! I see it rather a loving allowance where Hindus are allowed with in law to grive their way.

One has to follow the Law of the land and must adhere to the regulations about health and safety. It is only when permission is given by the regulatory bodies that a hindu cremation can take place.

Over all I am delighted to see the clarity in Law. I am interviewed by BBC stations on this issue. Please see given below the links to my comments.

1) BBC Radio Solent: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bkxx/Tim_Daykin_14_02_2010/
For my comments please listen from 01:05

2) BBC Radio Leeds: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bm2m/Richard_Staples_14_02_2010/
listen from 01:20:00

3) BBC Radio Cornwall:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006blp4/BBC_Cornwalls_Faith_Programme_14_02_2010/
Listen from 33:00:00

4) BBC Hereford & Worcester
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bkdn/Andrew_Easton_Sunday_Breakfast_14_02_2010/
Listen from 01:45:00

5) BBC Lancashire
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bl80/Joe_Wilson_14_02_2010/
Listen from: 2:15:50

5) BBC Coventry and Warwickshire
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bks5/Stuart_Linnell_14_02_2010/
Listen from 0:48:30

6) BBC WM WestMidlands
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bl23/Andrew_Peach_14_02_2010/
Please listen from: 1:49:10

Purandareswari must be the CM of Andhra Pradesh

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 11:19:03 +0000

It is very sad that Sri Rajasekhara Reddy passed away in such a tragic accident. His sudden departure, for sure, has ensued a leadership battle.

However, it is alarming to notice how quickly the MLAs of AP tried to throne YSR's son Jagan as CM. Not that there is something wrong with Jagan. But my question is --- what is the rush?! There are quite a few reasons why they shouldnt rush in installing Jagan as CM. Foremost of them is that Jagan is just 100 days old in politics, he never played an active role in politics. He is the son of YSR is not a good enough reason for him to be throned as CM. There have to be better reasons than this. So I think Jagan should continue in the politics for some more time and show his strength and his committment to the nation before he becomes the CM.

The one leader who comes to my mind who fits the position to become CM of Andhara Pradesh is Smt. Purandareswari. She is one of the finest lady politicians we have in India. I personally attended her lectures in Birmingham, when she was chief guest at a function, and at Geneva in Switzerland. Her lectures made me admire her leadership thinking, her statesmanship and her committment to the nation building. She is more than just a politician. Irrespective of her political affiliation I have nothing but admiration for her, especially her passion for educating India is fascinating! At any meeting she can stand as a fine example of how a woman with brains can lead India. Purandareswari can be compared in her caliber to current president of India Mrs. Pratibha Patil and Late Prime minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

I strongly believe Mrs. Purandareswari, who is Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development must be made Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. I am sure under her able leadership AP will see great growth.

Visiting Mahatma Gandhi's home in South Africa

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 14:21:24 +0000

As you know I am fascinated by Mahatma Gandhi. Recently I had a nice opportunity to visit Johannesburg in South Africa. You may have rightly guessed I was so thrilled! I was thrilled to visit the land where Mahatma Gandhi has practiced as as an young lawyer. He lived in Jo'burg for almost 21 years.

As you know Mahatma Gandhi arrived in South Africa in 1893 to handle a legal case in Pretoria. He moved to Johannesburg in 1903 and, in between return visits to India, stayed in the country for 21 years before going back to his homeland.

When Gandhi first came to Johannesburg he lived in rooms behind his law offices in Rissik Street. Henry Pollak was a partner in his law firm and Gandhi moved into Pollak's house in Orange Grove, at 34 Grove Road. You can see the 34 Grove road home I am standing in front of it.

I am writing the following experience as a caution to those visiting Gandhians who venture to find 34 Grove Road.

Actually finding 34 Grove road was nothing short of finding a treasure. In Jo'burg there is hardly any public transport. You will have to use the private busses which are capable of carrying 12 people. But often you will notice they carry a lot more people illegally crammed in to the space. Anyway it is best to hire a private taxi, mind you it will cost you a lot of money. I found South Africa very expensive.

Anyway I wanted to visit 34 Grove Road, asked my taxi to take me there. Poor driver has no idea who Mahatma Gandhi was, but I had to remind him during our journey who it was then he very enthusiastically joined my quest to find 34 Polak Road. I have used Google Maps in my Blackberry to find where Grove Road is... unfortunately the Grove Road that it shows on the maps is wrong! So we landed up in knocking doors of the wrong house. The lady of the house was very reluctant to answer first. But then when I told that I am searching for 34 Grove Road where Mahatma Gandhi once lived, she came opening the door. She answered "I wish Gandhi lived here. But this is not the Grove Road you are looking for there is another one in this vicinity" and she told us how to reach there.

Finally I was able to reach the right Grove Road however you will notice that House Number 34 is mysteriously missing! You will see House 32 and 35 but not 34. We have to go up and down the street and finally found House 34 standing on its own totally unrelated to the rest of the House Numbers.

I ventured again to press the calling bell. A lady has responded and she confirmed that Mahatma Gandhi lived there. I was elated... Took a few pictures. I stood there for some time imagining Mahatma Gandhi regularly going in and out of the home. I had to take a deep breath to get out of my excitement.

As a student I lived in Mahatma Gandhi's Sevagram Ashram some twenty years back. Now that I live in London I went to all places where Gandhi lived and where he studied. Those who have seen my TV documentary "Gandhi as an NRI (Non resident Indian :-))" may have noticed I presented Mahatma Gandhi's life in London, UK.

Now by visiting Johannesburg in South Africa I finally completed tracing Mahatma Gandhi's major stopover in his life.

Me standing in front of 34 Grove Road:

Long view of 34 Grove Road

A beautiful Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Grand Canyon

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 14:36:54 +0000

Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

Sedona a serene stream

Hoover Dam

HAPPY UGADI (TELUGU NEW YEAR) 27th 2009

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:01:43 +0000

HAPPY TELUGU NEW YEAR

a??i??a??i??euro; a??a??a??i??#8249;a??a??a??a??a?? a??i??#8218;a??a??i??a??a?? a??i??a?-a??i??#8226;a??i??#8218;i??#8226;i??a??a??i??

HAPPY GUDIPADVA TO ALL MY FRIENDS FROM MAHARASTHRA :)

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:59:23 +0000

What is happening in Srilanka is not good.. Governments should respect international law at all costs

Wed, 4 Feb 2009 17:13:17 +0000

Wise old wisdom says "even though the other person is terrible -- never look away from the good Godly quality of compassion within you, for when you do that you are writing your soul to devils"...

What is happening to Tamils in Srilanka is immensely painful. War is always painful it brings immense misery for both winners and losers! War has to be the last resort.... and War has to follow the rules of engagement!

I felt immesely pained watching the Sky news Sri Lanka's Defense Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapakse saying "No hospital should operate outside the Safety Zone...everything beyond the safety is a legitimate target,". This statement of Mr. Rajapakse is a direct disregard to the laws of Humanity.

There is no such thing called "Safety Zone" for wounded. They must get immediate treatment there and then! Sometimes moving the terribly wounded would result in immediate death! Is Mr. Rajapakse ignoring all this? Isn't this accepting the culpability of Srilanka as a state disregarding Hospitals?!

Geneva convention clearly says that nobody should "Deliberately target hospitals or civilians". Srilanka admitting that they do not regard a Hospital as such, because it doesn't fall in a saftey zone, does not hold ground! It is definitely a war crime!

If legitimate governements start disregarding Geneva Conventions then the day would not be far where we all descend in to chaos!

I pray for the welbeing of the innocent hapless civilians wounded caught-up in this terrible war!

Satyam's asatyam - The role played by the auditors

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 17:03:00 +0000

AGAIN ANOTHER GREED FILLED STORY: Morally currupt and disgusting story of the Chairman of a Software company and Auditors who have equal part in it.

It is so shocking that the company that is named as "Truth" (satyam) has now made its name synonym to "Asatyam" (lie)...

I am deeply shocked and felt angry to read the scandal involving the chairman of Satyam computer services of India. www.satyam.com in his letter to the board Ramalinga Raju states that the books are not reflecting the true state of the company affairs. I wonder then what is the role played by the auditors!

I think the Auditors who signed the reports should also be barred from doing any further business. In fact, they must be all be held accountable for their irregularities and appropriate legal actions necessary must be taken against them, necessary punishment must be given to them so that any future accountants auditors would know that a lie will never take them anywhere. The auditors, by signing the account books filled with lies as truth, have made millions of shareholders miserable. Now what morale will last in the employees who are working for Satyam?!

You can see the blatant lies the auditors have written from the following image. They have over inflated the numbers to just gain share value!!!

I believe this is just the beginning. There are many companies in India whose accounts are filled with lies. There is no real corporate governance in India. The government is equally weak in its enforcement of law. This scandal is India's equallent to Enron scandal.

Here are some other controversies in which PwC was named.

18 December 2008: Hedge fund firm Fairfield Greenwich Group considers suing its accountant PwC after its clients lose $7.5 billion in Bernard Madoff’s alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme.

28 July 2008: PwC faces probe after its alleged failure to spot a €21 million fraud at the Scotish mineral water subsidiary of Greencore Group Plc.

7 July 2007: PwC agrees to pay $225 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by shareholders of Tyco International Ltd over a multibillion-dollar accounting fraud

11 March 2007: Investigators from Russia’s interior ministry raid PwC offices for evidence in criminal cases related to oil firm OAO Yukos

29 March 2006: PwC makes an out-of-court settlement with shareholders of Internet company E-District who alleged the audit firm failed to discharge its legal responsibilities.

December 2005: Reserve Bank of India bars PwC from bank audits after it found that the firm under-provided for non-performing assets of Global Trust Bank.

An interesting letter to the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Singh

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 10:24:40 +0000

This is an interesting letter that I received over e-mail. I thought it makes real sence. I can see the anguish of the author so I thought sharing with you would be best. I do not know who the original author of this letter is, but the subject line says: "Subject: FW: Editor Mumbai (Times of India)"

LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER

Dear Mr. Prime Minister

I am a typical mouse from Mumbai. In the local train compartment which has capacity of 100 persons, I travel with 500 more mouse. Mouse at least squeak but we don't even do that.

Today I heard your speech. In which you said 'NO BODY WOULD BE SPARED'. I would like to remind you that fourteen years has passed since serial bomb blast in Mumbai took place. Dawood was the main conspirator. Till today he is not caught. All our Bollywood Actors, our builders, our Gutka king meets him but your Government can not catch him. Reason is simple; all your ministers are hand in glove with him. If any attempt is made to catch him everybody will be exposed. Your statement 'NOBODY WOULD BE SPARED' is nothing but a cruel joke on this unfortunate people of India.

Enough is enough. As such after seeing terrorist attack carried out by about a dozen young boys I realize that if same thing continues days are not away when terrorist will attack by air, destroy our nuclear reactor and there will be one more Hiroshima .

We the people are left with only one mantra. Womb to Bomb to Tomb. You promisedMumbaikar Shanghai what you have given us is Jalianwala Baug.

Today only your home minister resigned. What took you so long to kick out this joker? Only reason was that he was loyal to Gandhi family. Loyalty to Gandhi family is more important than blood of innocent people, isn't it?

I am born and bought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me corruption inMaharashtra is worse than that in Bihar. Look at all the politician, Sharad Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Bal Thackray , Gopinath Munde, Raj Thackray, Vilasrao Deshmukh all are rolling in money. Vilasrao Deshmukh is one of the worst Chief minister I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fisherman so they can build concrete house right on sea shore. Next time terrorist can comfortably live in those house , enjoy the beauty of sea and then attack the Mumbai at their will.

Recently I had to purchase house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligent agency & CBI you and your finance minister are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.

If this has been land of fools, idiots then I would not have ever cared to write you this letter. Just see the tragedy, on one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent and on other side you politician has converted nectar into deadly poison. I am everything Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Schedule caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Schedule caste, Creamy Schedule caste only what I am not is INDIAN. You politician have raped every part of mother India by your policy of divide and rule.

Take example of former president Abdul Kalam. Such a intelligent person, such a fine human being. You politician didn't even spare him. Your party along with opposition joined the hands, because politician feels they are supreme and there is no place for good person.

Dear Mr Prime minister you are one of the most intelligent person, most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost expose all selfish politician. Ask Swiss bank to give name of all Indian account holder. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolf among us. There will be political upheaval but that will better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day. Just give us ambient where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of.

Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?

Carnage in Mumbai

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:51:46 +0000

I am really shocked! This appears to be really a well thought out plan. The terrorists clearly have four targets (1) Indians (2) ATS (3) US and British Citizens (4) Jews

Target 1: Hapless Indians : They attacked CTS railway terminus where all poor people who would like to catch the early morning train congregate. The terrorists indiscriminantly opened fire on those innocent Indians to create Terror and carnage. Also they were making this as a step towards achieving their Target 2!

Target 2: ATS - ATS is mainly responsible for bringing down a lot of terrorist cells in India. Clearly ATS is the target of the terrorists. They knew that ATS Chief officers will come over to Gama hospital to get any information possible from the wonded surviers of the initial attack. The brave officers were ambushed and killed. I salute those brave officers. May the flag of India offer eternal warmth and rest to their souls.

Target 3: American and British nationals -- The terrorists clearly knew that both Taj and Obrai hotels are full of foreigners. They went in to those hotels and started asking people to show their identifications. They are particularly interestsed in finding out who are US and British nationals. Some of the British nationals are seriously wounded, one of the British citizen lost his life! My heartfelt sympathies to those families who lost their lovedones. It is terrible this happened to them.

Target 4: JEWs - They have attacked a peaceful Jewish centre in Noriman point. They captured Isrealites and a Rabbai and held them hostage.

Besides the above four targets the terrorists also have some other targets. But this clearly shows their cowerdice. They can not win a direct military combat with India as they tried and got defeated in Kargil. They chose a soft target.

Now it is important to findout where these terrorists came from! They must have got trained in the terrorist training camps. It is a full fledged military training that they have used on the innocent civilians causing carnage and mayhem!

My heartfelt condolances to everyone who lost their lovedones.

Love & Light,

Madhava