Christian Response To Death In Purusha Sukta By Sumegi

Before explaining Hinduism in depth, Sumegi points out that there is a noticeable change for the religious response to death between the earliest and the latest Vedic texts (165). Based on the premise, she begins to discuss Hindus’ belief in afterlife from the early age. Sumegi specifically stresses the story of the Purusha Sukta because it informs us that a ritual death and dismemberment result in creation (170). Death is not the end but the new beginning of creation. And, death leads the deceased to the two paths: the way leading to the world of the fathers and the way leading to the world of the gods (171). Those who have a correct knowledge of the hidden interconnections between all things go to the world of the gods without reincarnation, while those who think that immortality is the result of rituals go to the world of the
Karma as intentional action results in a future rebirth, and samsara is the unending cycle of death and rebirth fueled by karma (176). In order to be free from samsara, people seek for liberation (moksha) (177). Liberation cannot be explained without the understanding of atman and brahman because liberation derives from the knowledge that atman, the foundation and essence of the individual, corresponds with brahman, the foundation and essence of the universe (179). In addition, the Bhagavad Gita (Song of the Lord) presents three paths to liberation through the teaching of Vishnu/Krishna (183). The path of action is to act according to Dharma (truth and righteousness) without fear of punishment or hope of reward (184). The path of knowledge is to realize atman, and the path of devotion is to turn to God with genuine loving devotion (184, 186). Among these three paths, the path of knowledge is the hardest one and the path of devotion is the simplest