The Religion of the Veda: The Ancient Religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads) c11.3

c11.3

THE Veda's conception of the polytheistic gods, and the relations which the early Hindus have established with them by means of their songs of praise and nourishing gifts, are of a spirit very simple. The temper of these things almost guarantees beforehand equally simple notions about death and future life. There is a paradise above, conceived oftenest as a solar paradise, where the gods are having a delightful time. Man would be most happy to have a share in this delight, like the gods immortal. Therefore the gods are implored to let come to them the pious man that has spent his substance freely in their behalf.¹ Next, this elementary belief is fittingly padded out with simple rites and ancient legends. The bodies of the dead are burned and their ashes are consigned to earth. But this is viewed, symbolically, merely as an act of preparation—cooking it is called forthright—for that other life of joy. Arms and utensils, especially sacrificial utensils, are buried with the corpse. For the occupations and necessities of those "who have gone forth" (*preta*), as the dead are called euphemistically, are the same as upon the earth, sacrificing included. The righteous forefathers of old who have gone forth in the past—they have found another good place. Especially Yama, the first royal man, went forth as a pioneer to the distant heights in the skies. He searched and found a way for all his descendants. He went before and found a dwelling from which no power can debar mortal man. The Fathers of old have travelled it, and this path leads every earth-born mortal thither. There in the midst of highest heaven, in the lap of the Goddess Dawn, beams unfading light, there eternal waters flow. There Yama sits under a tree of beautiful foliage, engaged in an everlasting bout in the company of the gods; there mortals gather after death at Yama's call to behold Varuna. They have left all imperfections behind them on returning to their true home, the rich meadows of which no one can rob them. In that place there are no lame nor crooked of limb; the weak no longer pay tribute to the strong; all alike share with Yama and the gods the feast of the gods.