The Garuda Purana is one of the eighteen Mahāpurāṇas, a genre of ancient Indian texts that are part of the vast body of Hindu scripture. The Garuda Purana is attributed to the sage Veda Vyasa and is primarily a conversation between the deity Garuda (the king of birds and the vehicle of the god Vishnu) and the sage Kashyapa.
Famous for being centered around the topic of death, the Garuda Purana is usually read at homes where an individual has just suffered from the terrible phenomenon. Various happenings after death, and punishments for ‘sinful deaths’ have been described in great detail in the Garuda Purana. In this article, we are specifically going to look at what happens after suicidal death, as described in the Garuda Purana.
Introduction
The Garuda Purana is notable for its diverse content, including cosmology, mythology, rituals, ethics, and theology. Famous for its mythological narrative, it includes stories of various deities, such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma, and their divine interactions. It also describes the creation of the world, the cosmological order, and the structure of the universe. However, the parts that it is famous for, deal with death and the signs of death.
A significant portion of the text also deals with the concepts of life after death, the soul’s journey, and the processes of karma. The Garuda Purana provides detailed descriptions of heaven, hell, and the various stages of the soul’s journey based on its actions during its lifetime. The Purana also offers ethical and moral teachings, stressing the importance of righteousness (dharma), devotion (bhakti), and knowledge (jnana).
The text discusses proper rites and rituals, including those related to death, cremation, and offerings to ancestors. These rituals are meant to ensure that the soul’s journey after death is smooth and that it attains liberation (moksha). While all of these might be fascinating, one of the most popular aspects associated with the Garuda Purana are the descriptions of a soul’s journey after death.
The punishments described in the text, and the descriptions of a soul’s journey are the two most popular aspects associated with the Garuda Purana. Now, without any further delays, we are going to talk about a soul’s journey after death as described in the Garuda Purana. Specifically, we are going to talk about what happens after suicidal death in Garuda Purana.
What Happens After Suicidal Death in Garuda Purana?
In the Garuda Purana, suicide is considered a grave sin and leads to harsh consequences in the afterlife. While the text does not isolate suicide as a separate category in the way modern discourse might, it clearly includes self-inflicted death under mortal sins (mahāpātakas)—acts that result in torment in hell with no expiation except the suffering itself.
Here is what happens according to the Garuda Purana:
- No Immediate Liberation: Those who die by suicide do not attain liberation (moksha) or peaceful rebirth. Instead, they are caught in the cycle of karma and punishment, subjected to the Way of Yama, the path taken by sinful souls after death.
- Severe Torment in Hell: The soul is dragged by terrifying messengers of Yama, suffers immense physical and psychological torment, and passes through various hells and cities of misery like Bahubhīti, Duhkhada, and Śītāḍhya. These realms inflict tortures like extreme cold, hunger, piercing pains, and beatings with iron weapons.
- Regret and Lamentation: The soul of the deceased laments their actions, often crying out in pain and remorse for having wasted their human birth. This intense regret is part of the educative aspect of hell, meant to reform the soul through suffering.
- Karmic Rebirth: After enduring punishment, the soul is eventually reborn—often in lowly or painful conditions—with a more refined conscience. However, this only occurs if the soul learns from its suffering. If not, it may fall again into sinful acts.
- No Penance Allowed in Kali Yuga: While ancient texts describe death penances for such sins (like embracing red-hot iron or boiling ghee), in the present age (Kali Yuga), such penances are forbidden from being prescribed. Thus, hellish suffering is the only path of purification for those who commit such acts.
In summary, the Garuda Purana views suicide as a serious offense against one’s spiritual duty and outlines a vivid, terrifying afterlife for those who take their own lives—marked by extensive suffering, regret, and karmic consequences, with the ultimate hope of reformation through this pain.
Advice To Help Souls That Committed Suicide in the Garuda Purana
According to the Garuda Purana, the living—especially family members—can perform specific rites and offerings to help the soul of the deceased, including those who have died by suicide. These acts do not erase the karmic burden entirely, but they alleviate suffering, nourish the soul, and ease the journey through the tormenting afterlife described for sinners.
Here are the key things the living can do:
1. Śrāddha (Funeral Rites and Offerings)
- The ten-day rites, eleventh-day, and annual Śrāddha ceremonies are considered crucial.
- These involve offering piṇḍa (rice-balls), water, and other food items to nourish the subtle body of the deceased soul as it travels through the Way of Yama.
- On each day, the rice-ball contributes to forming parts of a new subtle body, allowing the soul to regain strength and stability.
2. Charity (Dāna) in the Name of the Deceased
- Donating food, clothing, cows, money, or land to Brahmins or the needy is highly recommended.
- Gifts made especially during the Śrāddha period are believed to accumulate merit for the soul, lightening its karmic load.
3. Tarpana (Water Offerings)
- Daily or regular libations of water mixed with sesame seeds are believed to refresh and purify the soul.
- The Garuda Purana states that even the sinful are helped by these offerings, though only partially unless they are reborn and redeemed through further karma.
4. Recitation of Sacred Texts and Mantras
- Reciting parts of the Garuda Purana, Bhagavad Gita, or other dharma texts in the name of the deceased is considered beneficial.
- Mantras like the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra or Vishnu Sahasranama are believed to calm restless spirits and bring spiritual aid.
5. Making the Gift of a Cow (Go-Dāna)
- Specifically mentioned in the Garuda Purana, this is vital for helping the soul cross the Vaitaraṇī River, a terrifying obstacle in the afterlife.
- The gift of a black cow is said to guarantee passage for sinful souls, including those who died unnaturally.
6. Avoidance of Condemnation
- The living must not curse, scorn, or harshly judge the one who died by suicide.
- Instead, they should perform acts of compassion, prayer, and remembrance, which contribute positively to the soul’s journey.
The Garuda Purana emphasizes that while karma must be experienced, intentional efforts by the living can significantly ease the soul’s passage, and in some cases, even help secure a better rebirth.
Conclusion
The Garuda Purana presents a profound and sobering view of suicide, emphasizing its severe karmic consequences and the soul’s journey through torment and regret. According to the text, suicide is considered a grave sin that binds the soul to suffering in hellish realms, with no immediate hope for liberation. The punishment is meant to reform the soul, though it requires the soul to undergo significant torment and learn from the pain of its actions.
Despite this grim outlook, the Garuda Purana also offers a path for the living to aid the deceased, particularly those who have died by suicide. Through rites, offerings, and acts of compassion, the living can help alleviate some of the soul’s suffering, creating opportunities for karmic redemption in future lives. While the Garuda Purana’s teachings may appear harsh, they reflect a deep belief in the transformative power of suffering and the importance of righteous action.
The text encourages not only reflection on the consequences of one’s actions but also a sense of duty and compassion toward those who have strayed from the path of dharma. Ultimately, it stresses the possibility of redemption through karmic purification, offering a vision of hope even in the face of profound misdeeds.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the Garuda Purana?
The Garuda Purana is one of the eighteen Mahāpurāṇas, a genre of ancient Hindu texts. It is primarily a conversation between the deity Garuda and the sage Kashyapa, exploring topics like cosmology, mythology, rituals, and life after death. A significant portion of the text discusses the journey of the soul after death, karma, and the consequences of sinful actions.
What does the Garuda Purana say about suicide?
According to the Garuda Purana, suicide is considered a serious sin, and those who die by suicide face severe consequences in the afterlife. The soul does not attain liberation (moksha) and undergoes extensive suffering in hell, passing through various realms of torment. The punishment is meant to reform the soul, but it is a painful process.
How can the living help the soul of someone who committed suicide?
The living can perform specific rites and offerings to help ease the soul’s journey. These include funeral rites (Śrāddha), charity (Dāna), water offerings (Tarpana), reciting sacred texts and mantras, and making a gift of a cow (Go-Dāna). These acts are believed to alleviate suffering and may help the soul’s karmic purification.
Does the Garuda Purana offer any hope for the soul of someone who committed suicide?
While the Garuda Purana describes severe punishment for suicide, it also offers a path for the living to aid the soul. Through compassionate acts like prayer, offerings, and rituals, the soul may experience a reduction in its karmic burden and possibly secure a better rebirth. Redemption is possible through further purification and the soul’s learning from its suffering.
Can suicide victims be forgiven in the afterlife according to the Garuda Purana?
The Garuda Purana suggests that those who commit suicide undergo intense suffering in hell. There is no immediate forgiveness or liberation, but the soul may eventually be reborn with a more refined conscience. The goal of this torment is to guide the soul toward moral and spiritual reformation, offering the possibility of redemption in future lives.
What is the significance of the “gift of a cow” (Go-Dāna) in helping souls?
The Garuda Purana mentions the gift of a black cow as particularly beneficial for aiding the soul’s passage through the afterlife. It is believed that donating a cow helps the soul cross the Vaitaraṇī River, a significant obstacle in the soul’s journey. This act is especially important for souls that have committed severe sins, including those who have died by suicide.
Is there any mention of penance for suicide in the Garuda Purana?
The Garuda Purana does mention death penances for sins in the past, but in the current age (Kali Yuga), these penances are no longer allowed. Therefore, those who commit suicide must undergo suffering in the afterlife without the option of performing penances like embracing red-hot iron or boiling ghee. The only path of purification is through enduring torment in hell.
What role does regret play in the afterlife of someone who committed suicide?
In the Garuda Purana, the soul of a person who committed suicide experiences deep regret and lamentation for their actions. This emotional and psychological suffering is a part of the educational aspect of the afterlife, helping the soul reflect on the gravity of its actions and guiding it toward spiritual growth and reformation.