Hindu TraditionHindu TraditionLance Nelson, Ph.D.Lance Nelson, Ph.D.

University of San DiegoUniversity of San Diego

If somebody shot at me and I received his bullet on my bare chest without a groan and with Rama's name on my lips, only then should you say I was a true Mahatma.

M. K. Gandhi, 1947

Gandhi and Ram-Gandhi and Ram-namnamRemembering God’s Name at Death

At the hour of death, whoever leaves the body remembering Me attains My abode. There is no doubt about this.

Bhagavad Bhagavad GitaGitaThe Song of God, chap. 8.5

Let the yogi, seated in solitude, having mind and senses under control, free from desires and attachments, constantly meditate upon the Supreme Self.

Bhagavad GitaBhagavad GitaThe Song of God, chap. 6.10-11, 15

The yogi should sit on a firm seat that is neither too high nor too low, covered with sacred grass, a deerskin, and a cloth, one over the other, in a clean spot.

Thus, by always keeping the mind fixed on the Self, the yogi whose mind is subdued attains supreme liberation, the peace that is union with Me.

Creating Holy SpaceCreating Holy SpaceAltars, Images, Icons, Incense, Flowers

Kirtan and JapaKirtan and Japa“Singing” and “Chanting” the Divine Name

MantraMantraSacred Words, Sacramental Sound

Om Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram

Om Namah Shivaya

Om Namo Narayanaya

Hari Om

Om! We worship the Three-eyed Lord Siva,The fragrant one, who nourishes all beings.Just as the cucumber is severed

from its connection to the vine,So may He liberate us from death

for the sake of Immortality.

Maha Mrityunjaya MantraMaha Mrityunjaya MantraThe Great Mantra in Praise of the Conqueror of Death

AntyeshtiAntyeshtiLast Rites & Cremation

ShraddhaShraddhaRemembrance, Release, Purification on Eleventh Day

There was never a time when we did not exist; nor shall we ever cease to exist in the future.

Just as the Self (atman) acquires the bodies of childhood, youth, and old age, similarly the Self acquires another body after death. The wise are not deluded by this.

Bhagavad GitaBhagavad GitaThe Song of God, chap. 2.12-13, 20, 22

The Self is never born nor does it ever die . . . It is unborn, eternal, permanent, and primeval. The Self is not destroyed when the body is destroyed.

Just as a person puts on new garments after discarding old ones, similarly the Self acquires new bodies after casting away its old bodies.

Even if you think of the Self as taking birth and dying, again and again--still you should not grieve.

Death is certain for the one who is born, as is birth for the one who dies. Therefore, over what is inevitable you should not lament.

Bhagavad GitaThe Song of God, chap. 2.26-28

All beings are unmanifest before birth, manifest during life, and unmanifest again after death. In this, where is the cause for grief?

At the time of death,the soul flies up, like a swan. Then it sees that the worldwas but a two-day carnival.The body is a cage with ten

doors,the soul, a bird of air.

KabirKabirThe Weaver Poet15th cent. CE

The wonder, my friend, is that it’s here . . .It’s no wonder if it goes.

SallekhanaSallekhanaHoly Death by Fasting in Jainism

Please instruct me, sir. I have come forward to seek the vow of sallekhana, which will remain in force as long as I live. I am free of all doubts and anxieties in this matter. I renounce, from now until the moment of my last breath, food and drink of all kinds.

Cessation of sorrow,Cessation of karmas,Death while in meditation,The attainment of Enlightenment—O Holy Jina! Friend of the entire universe!

Let these be mine,For I have taken refuge at your feet.

--Jain Prayer