Last rites refer to the rituals performed for the deceased before cremation or burial. These rituals hold great significance in Hinduism as they are believed to ensure a peaceful transition of the soul to the afterlife. The eligibility criteria to perform last rites have been a topic of debate, especially regarding whether women can perform the rituals.
The traditional view has been that women cannot perform last rites, especially for their husbands. However, this exclusion of women has been challenged in recent times. There are diverging views on whether the scriptures prohibit women from performing last rites or whether the restriction is only a social convention. The debate involves examining religious texts, customary practices, and evolving socio-cultural norms related to gender roles and equality.
Can a Girl Perform Last Rites According to Scriptures?
There are different views on whether Hindu scriptures prohibit women from performing last rites:
Against women performing last rites:
- Some scholars argue that verses from the Garuda Purana explicitly forbid women from performing last rites. According to one verse, only a male relative should perform the rituals.
- Manusmriti, an influential Hindu text, also contains verses that suggest the eldest son should perform the last rites.
- Other verses state that women cannot touch the dead body before cremation.
Supporting women’s rights:
- Several scholars have contested the restrictive interpretation of scriptures. They argue that the verses should be understood in their proper context.
- The Garuda Purana verses only emphasize the importance of men performing last rites, not prohibiting women from doing so.
- Manusmriti does not explicitly forbid women from conducting last rites.
- Overall, none of the major Hindu scriptures unequivocally bar daughters or wives from performing last rites.
The scriptures permit anyone who is grieving for the deceased to perform the rituals. Since women also deeply mourn the loss of a loved one, there is no doctrinal basis for excluding them.
Social and Legal Positions Regarding Women Performing Last Rites
Socially, there has been a prevalent custom of preventing women from performing last rites, especially for their husbands:
- It is considered inauspicious for a widow to mourn her husband’s death publicly or touch his body.
- The eldest son is given the prime responsibility to conduct all the rituals.
- Other male relatives like the father-in-law or brothers also have precedence over women.
- Social orthodoxy has discouraged daughters from performing both parents’ last rites.
However, the traditional restrictions have been challenged in recent years:
- Women rights activists argue that prohibiting women goes against the principles of gender justice and equality enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
- Courts have upheld women’s right to perform last rites in several key judgements:
| Case | Judgement |
|---|---|
| Smt. Kiran Bala vs State of U.P. (Allahabad High Court, 2012) | Daughter has equal right as son to perform last rites. |
| Sonu Yadav vs State of U.P. (Allahabad High Court, 2018) | Wife can perform last rites of husband. |
- Some state governments like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra have issued advisories stating that women cannot be prevented from performing last rites.
Therefore, legally and constitutionally, women now have equal rights to perform last rites. However, overcoming restrictive social norms and customs remains a challenge.
Key Religious Rituals Involved in Last Rites
The main rituals involved in Hindu last rites are:
- Mukhagni/Cranial Fire: Burning a piece of wood on the deceased’s head to release the soul.
- Kapal Kriya: Breaking an earthen pot near the body.
- Arati: Ritual waving of lamps in circular motions around the body.
- Pinda-daan: Offering balls of cooked rice to the departed soul.
- Asthi Visarjan: Immersion of ashes in holy rivers after cremation.
Along with mantras and prayers, these key rituals enable the passage of the soul to the next realm. Women are equally capable of correctly performing these rites.
Mukhagni
Mukhagni is the most important ritual conducted before cremation. The chief mourner circles the body with an earthen pot containing fire. Then a piece of wood is burnt on the deceased’s head as the relevant mantras are recited. This releases the soul from the mortal body.
Traditionally, the eldest son or main male heir conducts mukhagni. However, daughters can perform it just as properly after receiving some training if needed.
Kapal Kriya
Kapal kriya is the ritual of cracking open an earthen pot filled with water next to the deceased’s head. This is done right after mukhagni. The cracked pot represents mortal life ending abruptly.
Here again, tradition requires males like the son or brother to break the pot. But women can perform kapal kriya just as efficiently to complete the ritual.
Arati and Pinda-daan
Arati involves moving lighted lamps in circular motions in front of the deceased. Pinda-daan means making offerings of pindas – balls made of cooked rice and other ingredients – to the departed soul.
These rituals can be gracefully carried out by daughters. Wives may perform arati but there are differing views on whether they can offer pind-daan for husbands. Overall, a woman can competently conduct these last sacraments.
Asthi Visarjan
Asthi visarjan is the final ritual where the ashes are immersed in holy rivers like Ganga. This ensures moksha – freedom for the deceased’s soul.
Earlier, only male relatives travelled for asthi visarjan. But now, with better transportation, women can also easily travel to places for immersion of ashes.
Therefore, female relatives are capable of correctly performing all the important last rites with proper guidance.
Can a Girl Perform Last Rites of Parents?
Traditionally, a son performs the last rites of his parents, while daughters are often excluded. But in recent years, courts have upheld the equal right of daughters to conduct the last rites.
Key points:
- Scriptures do not prohibit daughters from performing parents’ last rites.
- Socially, sons were given priority but norms are changing with growing awareness.
- Courts have ruled that excluding daughters is against gender equality principles.
- Daughters with no brothers can definitely perform last rites for parents.
- Even when sons are present, daughters should be allowed to assist or conduct some rituals.
Therefore, a daughter is legally and religiously permitted to carry out the last rites for her parents. With adequate opportunity and training, she can competently conduct all the rituals.
Judgments Upholding Daughters’ Rights
Some key judgments recognising daughters’ rights to perform last rites:
| Case | Decision |
|---|---|
| Lalita Honne Gowda vs State of Karnataka (Karnataka High Court, 2020) | Unmarried daughter allowed to lit funeral pyre of her deceased father despite opposition from relatives. |
| Dr Anahita Pundole vs Union of India (Bombay High Court, 2020) | Daughter granted right to perform last rites of her Zoroastrian mother despite religious custom. |
These verdicts affirm that daughters cannot be denied the right to perform parents’ last rites on grounds of gender or custom.
Key Rituals by Daughters
Some rituals that daughters can perform for parents include:
- Mukhagni – lighting the funeral pyre
- Kapal Kriya – cracking the skull pot
- Pinda-daan – rice ball offerings
- Asthi collection – gathering ashes
- Asthi visarjan – immersing ashes
With proper training under priest’s guidance, daughters can correctly conduct these important rituals for parents.
Can a Girl Perform Last Rites of Her Husband?
Tradition dictates that only sons or other male relatives perform a man’s last rites. But legal rights affirm that wives can also conduct the last rites:
Key points:
- Earlier, courts upheld custom prohibiting widows from last rites of husband.
- Recent High Court judgments establish wife’s equal right in this regard.
- Wives are legally entitled to perform last rites of husband if no sons are present.
- Even if sons are there, wife can assist or conduct some minor rituals.
- Social acceptance of widows performing last rites is slowly increasing.
However, overcoming rigid social attitudes may take time in rural areas. Urban widows are more easily able to exercise their rights in this matter.
Court Judgments Recognizing Wives’ Rights
Some landmark verdicts affirming wives’ rights are:
| Case | Decision |
|---|---|
| Sonu Yadav vs State of U.P. (Allahabad High Court, 2018) | Wife has right to cremate husband’s body and perform last rites. |
| State of Punjab vs Naurata Singh Dhillon (Supreme Court, 1992) | Widow is entitled to decide regarding disposal of husband’s dead body. |
These judgments dismantle the prohibitions on widows performing last rites for husbands.
Key Rituals Wives Can Perform
Some rituals of the husband’s last rites that wives can perform include:
- Bathing the body
- Applying tilak/sandalwood paste
- Adorning with new clothes
- Circumambulating the body
- Lighting the funeral pyre
- Collecting ashes
With the requisite confidence, courage and training, wives can definitely competently conduct the last sacraments for their husbands.
Conclusion
In summary, earlier prohibitions on women performing last rites have been overturned by law and progressive judgments. Legally, a girl can conduct the last rites for her parents or husband, especially if no eligible male relative is present. However, overcoming restrictive patriarchal social attitudes may take longer. With growing education and evolving perceptions on gender roles, acceptance of women performing last rites is gradually increasing in India.