The Habitat of departed soul

Almost all major religions of the world believe in immortality of souls. However, how individual life continues after shedding the physical form is a jigsaw puzzle – different philosophers and religions having given different viewpoints. The Creative Spirit of Life is multidimensional and ever-changing. The essence of life is change and growth. May be we are spiritual beings going through human experience and through numerous incarnations, ultimately we are to be the perfect expression of our innate Divinity!

On coming out of the body, the soul finds itself in a strange environment. Just as after a prolonged period of hard work one seeks a comfortable bed, in order to relax after the lifelong engagement with the body, the soul needs rest and sleep (a period of inactivity). This period of sleep provides the soul a great deal of rest; hence the prayer for the departed soul to rest in peace. However, the soul does not fall asleep immediately after death but takes some time in doing so. Generally, the duration lasts for about a month. It is because the habits and memories of earlier bodily attachments (Vasna) are fresh and strong at the time of death and only gradually loosen their hold. As an analogy, consider the state of body after hard labour. The circulation of blood is fast and one cannot fall asleep even on a comfortable bed till blood circulation becomes normal.

After its separation from the Physical body (Sthul Sharir) on death, the soul assumes an Astral body (Sukshma Sharir). The form of this body is somewhat similar to that of the physical body. The being is pleasantly surprised to find a sudden acquisition of levity. Now it can move freely in space like a bird and reach anywhere simply by willing to do so. After abandoning the physical body, the soul hovers around the mortal remains. Finding the near and dear ones mourning, it makes a vain attempt to communicate with them or re-enter the dead body. The following narration of a departed soul illustrates the point. "After death, I found myself in a strange situation. On account of my previous attachments with my physical body and dear ones, I wanted to interact with them but found myself helpless.

I could see and hear everyone and I talked loudly, but found that I had become invisible and inaudible to the embodied living beings. Though it disturbed me to some extent, I felt very happy in my newly acquired body in which I felt very light and could fly around with great speed. I recollected, that while living I was afraid of death, for which now there did not appear any reason, whatsoever. Having acquired the new subtle body, I became less interested in the older one, since this astral (Sukshma) body was in every way much superior to the previous one. I felt that I was existing as before and could see and move my limbs as earlier. It convinced me that there was nothing to fear about death and dying was only an ordinary natural process involving change of body."