Sacred Scripture Reveals The Forbidden Pallbearers For The Final Journey In Hindu Tradition

Garuda Purana serves as one of the eighteen Mahapuranas in Hinduism offering profound insights into the mysteries of life death and the afterlife including detailed instructions on the last rites known as Antim Sanskar among the many rituals the act of offering a shoulder or kandha to the bier during a funeral procession is considered a deed of immense merit however this ancient text specifies strictly who should not participate in this sacred duty to ensure the departing soul finds peace and does not face obstacles on its way to the next realm the scripture outlines that while carrying the dead body is a noble act certain individuals must abstain from it due to spiritual and social reasons defined in the Vedic lawsThe most significant and perhaps surprising restriction applies to a husband regarding his deceased wife according to the tenets of Garuda Purana a husband should never give a shoulder to his wifes bier because the marital bond and vows are considered to be valid only during the lifetime of both partners once death occurs this earthly connection dissolves and for the husband to carry the body is seen as an act that increases attachment making it difficult for the soul to sever ties with the mortal world moreover the husband typically assumes the role of the primary mourner who leads the procession carrying the sacred fire or agni making it methodologically incorrect for him to also carry the weight of the body which is a duty reserved for sons brothers or other male relatives of the familyAnother vital rule concerns those practicing Brahmacharya or strict celibacy who are advised to maintain their spiritual purity by avoiding the act of being a pallbearer for anyone other than their own parents or their spiritual guru touching the corpse of others is believed to interrupt their penance and break their vow requiring complex rituals to restore their sanctity additionally the text warns against allowing enemies or anyone who harbored jealousy and hatred toward the deceased during their lifetime to touch the bier or give a shoulder as their negative energy is thought to torment the departing soul and hinder its liberation blocking the path to Moksha or salvation for the dead personThe scriptures also generally exclude pregnant women and young children from this task to protect them from the emotional shock and the heavy atmosphere associated with cremation grounds although modern interpretations may vary in the absence of male heirs ensuring that only those with pure hearts and legitimate relationships perform the last service is paramount these guidelines are not merely ritualistic but are designed to safeguard the spiritual hygiene of the performers while honoring the deceased with the highest dignity ensuring their smooth transition from the physical world to the ancestral realm without the burden of earthly negativity