Samskara 16 of 16 · Later Life & Beyond
Antyeshti
अन्त्येष्टिः
The final offering · After death
The story
Antyeshti, the final offering, returns the body to Agni and the five elements with the same reverence with which life was first welcomed. Through Tila Homa, Pitru Tarpan and Shraaddh, the living honour the departed and keep alive the unbroken thread of gratitude that binds every generation to the next.
How it is done
The body is offered to Agni with mantras; tarpan and shraaddh honour the departed.
Significance
The last samskara — the body is offered back to the five elements with the same reverence with which life was welcomed. Shraaddh, Pitru Tarpan and related Vaideeka Karya honour the departed and bless the lineage.
Arrange Antyeshti for your family
VDS conducts this samskara with trained pandits at your home or at the ashram.