Sanatani

 

Do not R.I.P. a departed Sanatani person!

When Indian people come across posts on Social Media such as Facebook about someone’s death, they just type RIP even without thinking anything. ‘RIP’ or ‘R.I.P’ or ‘Rest in peace’, do not agree with the fundamental principles of the Sanatana Dharma. Many Indians do that because they are victims of mental hijacking and conditioning done by Abrahamics through their education systems. Abrahamics say this and engrave R.I.P on gravestones of their dead because of their belief in the judgement day when all dead people will be raised in order for them to be able to answer God for whatever they did when they were alive. This idea does not belong to the Sanatana Dharma at all. Souls don’t rest! They are a life force and an eternal part of Krishna

Of course, Sanatanis do say, “Bhagavan unki aatma ko shanti dein”, which means, “May God grant peace to his (or her) soul”, but the term ‘Shanti’ means ‘peace’ and not ‘rest’. The best thing a Sanatani could wish for a departed soul is Moksha or salvation from the cycle of births and deaths, which means the union of the soul with the Supreme.

Simple and clear explanations on this topic can be found in the Bhagavad Gita. Krishna says that when a soul leaves a body, it carries the mind and senses of that Atman and Body combination, and moves to a new womb to start a new Janma. However, please note that this has an in-depth explanation in Vedanta, in which, you will learn that there are no ‘individual Atmas’ but the all-pervading consciousness, which, when identified with the body and other attributes, appears to be separate and therefore called ‘Jivatma.’

Bhagavan Krishna says to Arjuna (Verse 8:5) :

अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम् |
यः प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः || ८ ५ ||
antakaale cha maameva smaran muktwaa kalevaram
yah prayaati sa madbhaavam yaati naastyatra samshayah (SBG 8:5)
“And whosoever, leaving the body, goes forth thinking of Me alone at the time of death, he attains My Being. There is no doubt about this.”

Therefore, when you wish to express your condolence on the passing away of a Sanatani and if you really wish the departed soul well, instead of saying R.I.P., you could simply say ‘Om Shanti’, ‘Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantihi’ or quote one of the following Shlokas:

अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् |
विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित्कर्तुमर्हति || २ १७ ||
avinaashi tu tadviddhi
yena sarva midam tatam
vinaasham avyayas yaasya
na kaschit kartu marhati (SBG 2:17)
“You must know that, that which pervades the body can never be destroyed. The soul is indestructible and imperishable.”

मामुपेत्य पुनर्जन्म दुःखालयमशाश्वतम् |
नाप्नुवन्ति महात्मानः संसिद्धिं परमां गताः || ८ १५ ||
maamupetya punarjanma
duhkhaalaya mashaashwatam
naapnuvanti mahaatmaanaha
samsiddhim paramaam gataaha (SBG 8:15)
“Having attained Me, these great souls do not take birth again here on earth, which is the place of pain and is non-eternal. They have reached the Ultimate Perfection.”

आ ब्रह्मभुवनाल्लोकाः पुनरावर्तिनोऽर्जुन |
मामुपेत्य तु कौन्तेय पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते || ८ १६ ||
aa brahma bhuvanaal lokaaha
punaraa vartino’rjuna
maamupetya tu kaunteya
punarjanma na vidhyate (SBG 8:16)
“All the worlds, including the world of Brahma, are subject to return again, O Arjuna. But he who reaches Me, has no rebirth.”

ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति |
समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम् || १८ ५४ ||
brahma-bhootah prasannaatmaa
na shochati na kaangkshati
samah sarveshu bhooteshu
madbhaktim labhate paraam (SBG 18:54)
“Having become one situated in Brahman, a person becomes serene in the Self, does not lament or desire; and is the same to all beings. It is in that state that a person attains Supreme Devotion unto Me.”

असतोमा सद्गमय ।

तमसोमा ज्योतिर् गमय ।
मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय ॥
ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः ।।
asato maa sadgamaya
tamaso maa jyotir gamaya
mrutyor maam-ritham gamaya
Om Shantih Shantih Shantihi
“From ignorance lead me to the Truth
From darkness lead me into light
From death lead me into immortality
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.”

There’s a twist to consider: What exactly is death? Is it the death of the body, ego, or consciousness? While the idea of a person’s soul leaving their body and entering another can be a helpful concept for individuals to lead responsible lives, it’s important to recognize that consciousness is pervasive, and there are no separate souls. Thus, every moment in life can be seen as a moment of death and rebirth. Anything can happen to anyone at any time, even during sleep. Therefore, considering each morning as the first day of a new life can bring gratitude, positivity, hope, and wisdom.

The state of mind at bedtime can affect the following day. Personally, before retiring for the night, it’s helpful to clear the mind and forgive unconditionally those who may have wronged, insulted, or hurt. They can be seen as teachers who taught valuable lessons and provided motivation to prove oneself.

Internalising the natural principle of cause and effect can lead to responsibility and positive karma, which can benefit oneself and loved ones.

Jai Shri Krishna