What happens after Death

The journey of the soul after death:

Garuda Purana is an ancient Hindu text that is considered one of the 18 major Puranas. The text is primarily focused on providing guidelines for Hindu funeral rites and the afterlife. In this text, there are many detailed descriptions of what happens after death, including the journey of the soul, the experiences of the soul in the afterlife, and the ultimate fate of the soul.

According to the Garuda Purana, the soul leaves the body at the moment of death and begins a journey to the afterlife. The soul travels through various realms, including the world of the ancestors and the world of the gods, before finally reaching the world of the dead. Along the way, the soul may encounter various obstacles and challenges, and may even be required to perform certain acts in order to progress.

The experiences of the soul in the afterlife:

Once the soul reaches the world of the dead, it is judged based on its deeds in life. The Garuda Purana describes a number of different realms within the afterlife, each with its own specific characteristics and experiences. Some of these realms include heaven, where the soul enjoys great pleasures and rewards, and hell, where the soul is punished for its misdeeds. The text also describes the realm of purgatory, where the soul is cleansed and purged of its negative karma.

The ultimate fate of the soul:

According to the Garuda Purana, the ultimate fate of the soul is determined by its actions in life. If the soul has lived a virtuous life, it will be rewarded in the afterlife and may even achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death. If the soul has lived an evil life, it will be punished in the afterlife and may be reborn in a lower form in the next life. The text also describes the concept of moksha, which is the ultimate liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and the attainment of eternal bliss.

The role of the family in the afterlife:

The Garuda Purana emphasizes the importance of the role that the family plays in the afterlife of the departed. The text states that the family is responsible for performing certain rites and rituals that help the soul to make a smooth transition to the afterlife. These rituals include the performance of the last rites, the offering of food and other items to the soul, and the recitation of mantras and prayers. By performing these rites, the family can help to ensure that the soul is protected and guided on its journey to the afterlife.

Scientific explanations-

From a purely scientific perspective, death is the permanent cessation of all brain function and physical activity. When the brain stops functioning, the body can no longer sustain life, and death occurs. Some scientists believe that consciousness is nothing more than the result of complex chemical and electrical processes in the brain, and that it ceases to exist when the brain stops functioning.

Religious beliefs-

Many religious traditions have their own unique beliefs about what happens after death. For example, in Christianity, it is believed that the soul of the departed goes to either heaven or hell based on their actions in life. In Hinduism, it is believed that the soul goes through a cycle of reincarnation, and that the person will be reborn in a new form after death. In Buddhism, the concept of reincarnation is also present, but with the ultimate goal of reaching a state of enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Philosophical views-

Philosophers have also weighed in on the topic of what happens after death. Some believe in the idea of an afterlife, where the soul or consciousness continues to exist in some form. Others take a more nihilistic view, believing that death is the end of all existence and that there is no afterlife. Still, others believe that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a different state of being or consciousness.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, what happens after death remains a mystery that has yet to be fully understood. While there are many different beliefs and theories about what happens after we die, there is no scientific evidence to support any one theory over the others.