Table of Contents
Death is not the end—it is a transition. According to the Garud Puran, one of the most sacred Hindu texts, the journey of the soul after death is detailed with divine clarity. It reveals what truly happens from the moment a person dies to when their karma decides their next path—be it rebirth, pitru lok, or moksha.
The Garud Puran explains that immediately after death, the soul (atma) exits the physical body and enters a subtle astral plane. This moment is extremely sensitive, and that’s why the Garud Puran prescribes specific rituals like antyeshti sanskar, pind daan, and shraddha to guide the soul on its new path.
🕯️ The 13-Day Journey of the Soul After Death
According to the Garud Puran, for the first 13 days, the soul lingers around its physical body and loved ones. This is the most restless period, where the soul doesn’t yet understand its detachment. It’s called the Preta Avastha.
During these 13 days:
- The soul sees and hears everything but cannot communicate.
- It experiences emotional pain if rituals are not done properly.
- The Garud Puran says offerings and mantras during this period greatly influence the soul’s peace.
🔥 The Yama Doots and Karma Judgment
On the 14th day, the Yama Doots arrive to escort the soul. They are divine messengers of Yamraj, the lord of death. The Garud Puran explains that these doots carry the soul across Vaitarni River, which is filled with blood, bones, and filth—unless the soul has accumulated good karma or their family performs rituals like gomaya daan or tilanjali.
Then comes the Chitragupta phase, where every karma—good or bad—is reviewed. The Garud Puran says Chitragupta keeps a cosmic record of every thought, deed, and intention.
🏛️ Naraks and Swargs: The Result of Karma
Depending on the karma review:
- Pious souls go to Swarg Lok or take rebirth in better realms.
- Sinful souls are sent to various Narak Loks (hells) such as Raurav, Tamisra, or Kumbhipaka, where they are punished.
- Some souls stay in Pret Lok due to untimely or violent deaths, and can haunt unless Pitru Shanti rituals are performed.
The Garud Puran vividly describes the punishments, from boiling oil to thorn forests—each tailored to the sin committed.
🌅 Rebirth or Liberation (Moksha)
After completing the journey through Swarg or Narak, the soul is reborn as per karma. But if one lives a dharmic life and follows spiritual paths like Bhakti, Daan, and Japa, the Garud Puran assures moksha, the liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
🧘♂️ Why This Knowledge Matters
The Garud Puran does not aim to scare; it aims to awaken. Understanding what happens after death helps us:
- Live consciously with good karma
- Help our ancestors through rituals
- Prepare our own soul’s journey with mantras, prayers, and daan