It has no meaning for the departed one’s of the individual, since they would have certainly taken birth.ย
But when large masses of men engage in prayers for the departed, it would clear the earth’s atmosphere of the vital entities hanging around near the earth’s atmosphere. But it can be better done without any of these rituals, by the practice of meditation, chanting, even lighting a lamp and agarbatti with a prayer for everyone, taking the Divine Name. These vital forces do not come near those who have genuine bhakti and are engaged in goodness or simply have a firm faith in the Divine. But since the masses live a very ordinary life with an ordinary consciousness, often selfishly turned upon themselves, these rituals help remind them that there are other beings and existences to whom we are connected. These common practices were for the common lot. They belong to the traditional aspects of Religion. They are not found in authentic spiritual texts such as the Gita, the Upanishads and have never been enjoined by or for anyone on the spiritual path.ย
Affectionately,
Alok Da
