Arya Samaj

Shyena

Namaste,
I wished to know - why is sandalwood mandatory in cremation? The main target is to dissolve the body into its constituent four elements. Is it related to the burning capacity of sandalwood, or the odours generated?

Shishya · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:56 am Post subject:

Namaste PD,

Sorry it took so long for you to get a reply. I was hoping someone with more experience in this area would respond, but since they haven't my meagre knowledge will have to suffice for now. Embarassed

As far as I know, the primary reason for using sandalwood in cremation rests in it's ability to purify the air. The secondary reason is that it is a fairly expensive wood, and thus shows a high degree of respect and gratitude towards the dead and their deeds.
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Shyena · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:29 am Post subject:

I was waiting for the reply so long i didn't bother checking for the reply Sad

Anyway, the reason i'm interested is because the amount of sandalwood to be used is quantitatively prescribed, so it must be more than just *respect*...

Thanks anyways

Shishya · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:25 pm Post subject:

Namaste PD,

Isn't the quantity determined by the amount of fuel needed to consume an adult human body?

If you have a pet theory here, I would be interested to hear it. Wink

_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Shyena · Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:15 am Post subject:

Nope....absolutely blank! All i found was

Shishya · Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:33 am Post subject:

Namaste PD,

You have definately sparked my interest. Very Happy

I will write a few e-mails and see if I can get someone with more information to give us a more detailed response on this subject.
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Shyena · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:21 am Post subject:

Namaste all,
I found out according to swamiji it indeed is to nullify the foul odours generated from the preta. He speaks of it so in Chapter 13 about cremation..

What i get irritated about by some 'communal hindus' is that they refuse to have their body cremated as it generates smoke and involves cutting of trees...

it doesn't strike them that by having themselves buried they're wasting lots of land!

Prabhat · Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 7:39 am Post subject:

Namaste all,

if one dies, what happens to the asses(i hope it is wright)??
_________________
Namaste,
Prabhat

bhavesh · Junior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 69

Use of sandalwood is recommended but it is not mandatory. If it is not available, ordinary wood can also be used. However, there must be some scientific reasons for recommending this particular wood for the purpose. It needs research work.

The ash left behind is as such of no use. So it is collected and should be scattered carefully in garden or farm etc. Vedas say - bhasmantam shariram - the last stage of the body is nothing but ash.
= Bhavesh

Prabhat · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:11 pm Post subject: