But the dominant mainstream Hindu understanding of death comes from the Preta-kalpa of the Garuda Purana, which was composed a thousand years ago, and is still read during funeral ceremonies. Hinduism is diverse, dynamic and complex. Of course, not all Hindus follow these practices and customs. However, all things associated with death are also deemed inauspicious and impure. The ancestors are venerated and need to be fed, it’s true. This hesitance is interesting for what it reveals of the ambiguous relationship Hindus have with the dead. Indeed, many Hindu families avoid buying cars or houses or even new clothes. | Illustration: Devdutt Pattanaik.Įvery shopkeeper knows business will be slow at this time. Pinda-daan, the ritual of feeding the ancestors. They pour water on these pinda in a peculiar way, known as tarpana, over the thumb of the right hand that is stretched outward away from the body. It is a time to feed the dead.įacing the south, Hindu men across India are seen placing mashed rice balls mixed with black sesame seeds, known as pinda, on blades of grass, near water bodies. This is a dark fortnight of the lunar month, in the dark half of the year.

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Ganesha devdutt pattanaik