What Becomes of the soul after death by Swami Sivananda

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it from the Persians.
According to some writers the resurrection will be merely spiritual. The general opinion,
however, is that both body and the soul will be raised from the grave. It may be asked how will the
body which has been decomposed rise again? But Mohammed has taken care to preserve one part of
the body to serve as a basis for future edifice, or rather a leaven for the mass which is to be joined to
it. He taught that a man s body was entirely consumed by the earth, except only the bone called Al
Ajib or the coccygis or rump bone. It was the first-formed in the human body. It will also remain
uncorrupted till the last day as a seed from which the whole is to be renewed.
Mohammed said that this would be effected by a forty days rain which God would send,
and which would cover the earth to the height of twelve cubits and cause the bodies to sprout forth
like plants.
The Jews also say the same thing of the bone Luz, but they say that the body would sprout by
a dew impregnating the dust of the earth.
In the 31st chapter of the Bundehesh, the question is asked, How will the body which the
wind has carried away and the waves have swallowed be recreated, how will the resurrection of the
dead take place? To this replied Ormuzd: When through me the corn which is laid in the earth
grows again and comes once more to life, when I have given to the trees veins according to their
kinds, when I have placed the child in the mother, when I have created the clouds which take up the
water of the earth and send it down again in rain where I will, when I have created each and all of
these things, would it be harder for me to bring about the resurrection? Remember, all this has been
once and I have created it and can I not re-create what has already been lost?
The simile of the seed of corn which is laid in the lap of the mother earth and afterwards
shoots out into countless blades is often instanced as a proof of the resurrection, When the seed of
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WHAT BECOMES OF THE SOUL AFTER DEATH
the wheat buried naked in the earth springs up in the manifold clothings of the blades, how much
more will the virtuous rise again, who have been interred in their vestments? Three keys lie in the
hands of God and are entrusted to no delegate. These are: (1) the key of the rain, (2) that of birth, and
(3) that of the resurrection. Signs of Resurrection: The approach of the day of resurrection will be
known from certain signs which precede it. They are: (1) The rising of the sun in the west, (2) The
appearance of Dajal, a monster of most curious appearance who will preach the truth of Islam in
Arabic language, (3) The blast of the trumpet called Sur, which will be sounded three times.
All these are more or less Jewish ideas. After the resurrection, and before the Judgement, the
resuscitated souls will have to wait for a long time under the burning heat of the Sun, which will
descend to within a few yards of their heads.
The Day Of Judgement
The departed soul will wait for some time. Then God will appear to judge them. Mohammed
will take the office of intercessor. Then everyone will be examined regarding all his actions in his
life. All the limbs and parts of the body will be made to confess the sins committed by each. Each
person will be given a book in which all his actions are recorded. This corresponds to the books of
the Hindus in which Chitragupta, the Superintendent of Lord Yama, records all the actions of
human beings.
Gabriel will hold a balance and the books will be weighed in the balance. Those, whose
virtuous deeds are heavier than the evil ones, will be sent to heaven. Those, whose wicked deeds are
heavier than their good actions, will be sent to hell.
This belief of the Mohammedans has been taken from the Jews. The old Jewish writers have
mentioned of the books to be produced at the last day, which contain a record of men s deeds and
the balance wherein they shall be weighed.
The Jews borrowed this idea from the Zoroastrians. The Zoroastrians hold that two angels
named Mehr and Sarush will stand on the bridge on the day of Judgement to examine every person
as he passes. Mehr represents divine mercy; He will hold a balance in his hand to weigh the actions
of men. God will pronounce the sentence in accordance with the report of Mehr. If the good actions
preponderate, if they turn the scale even by the weight of a hair, they will be sent to heaven. But
those whose good deeds will be found light, will be thrown from the bridge into hell by the other
angel, Sarush, who represents Justice of God.
There is a bridge called Al Sirat by Mohammed, which is on the road to heaven. This bridge
is thrown over the abyss of hell. This bridge is finer than hair and sharper than the edge of a sword.
Those Mohammedans, who have done good deeds, will easily cross this bridge. Mohammed will
lead them. The evil-doers will miss their footing and fall down headlong into the hell, which is
gaping beneath them.
The Jews speak of the bridge of hell which is not broader than a thread. The Hindus speak of
Vaitarani. The Zoroastrians teach that all men will have to pass over the bridge called Pul Chinavat
on the last day.
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SOUL AFTER DEATH
Chapter Four
SOUL AFTER DEATH
Soul After Death
(ACCORDING TO ZOROASTRIANISM)
After death the soul goes to the intermediate world (Hamistaken) which corresponds to
Purgatory of Christianity. The soul of the righteous meets a beautiful maiden, the embodiment of
his pure thoughts, pure words and pure actions. He crosses safely the bridge of the Judge (Chinavat
bridge) which is the seat of judgement and reaches heaven. The bridge offers an easy passage for the
righteous. The soul passes to Amesh-spentas the golden seat of Ahuramazda.
The soul of the wicked meets a hideous hag, the embodiment of his evil thoughts, evil words
and evil actions. He fails to cross the bridge and falls into fire or Hell. The bridge narrows to the size
of the edge of a sword for the wicked.
The soul of the dead hovers round the last resting place in the house, for three days. It takes
its seat near the head and chants the Ushtavaiti Gatha Happy is he to whom Ahuramazda shall give
salvation. Various ceremonies are performed for four days at the spot. The soul has to appear at the
Chinavat bridge on the morning of the fourth day. In the case of the righteous there is a fragrant
wind as it approaches the place and there appears a beautiful young maiden. The soul is quite [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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