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The samskaras include a number of preliminary considerations and rites and other accompanying observances, all aiming at not only the formal purification of the body but also the entire personality development of the recipient. The famous sutrakaras divide the samskaras mainly into two based on the life of a person, i.e. the Purva (before) and the Apara (after). The Purva Samskaras are performed to an individual for the betterment of his everyday life all while he is alive. They are considered as Sodasa [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]]. The Apara Samskaras are performed to an individual, who is breathing his last breath. Some scholars do not include this samskara in the Sodasa Samskaras and it starts from Pranotkramana (withdrawl of pranas from the body) and normally ends with Sapindikarana (combining of the Pretaa form with the Pitr form).<ref>Bhat, Ganapathi Parameshwara. (1997) Ph.D Thesis Title: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/132040 A Critical Study of Antyesti Apara Samskara.]'' Mangalore: Mangalore University.</ref>

The samskaras include a number of preliminary considerations and rites and other accompanying observances, all aiming at not only the formal purification of the body but also the entire personality development of the recipient. The famous sutrakaras divide the samskaras mainly into two based on the life of a person, i.e. the Purva (before) and the Apara (after). The Purva Samskaras are performed to an individual for the betterment of his everyday life all while he is alive. They are considered as Sodasa [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]]. The Apara Samskaras are performed to an individual, who is breathing his last breath. Some scholars do not include this samskara in the Sodasa Samskaras and it starts from Pranotkramana (withdrawl of pranas from the body) and normally ends with Sapindikarana (combining of the Pretaa form with the Pitr form).<ref>Bhat, Ganapathi Parameshwara. (1997) Ph.D Thesis Title: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/132040 A Critical Study of Antyesti Apara Samskara.]'' Mangalore: Mangalore University.</ref>

== Atman Never Dies ==

== Atman Never Dies ==

Death has been generally looked upon with feelings of awe and terror, as loss of companion at a personal level, loss of a part of the family at the societal level. Though there were those who were philosophically inclined and looked at it as a blessing, a release from the limitations of the body. The mystery surrounding death and the thoughts as to where the Jiva goes after death along with the pain of the survivors are the characteristic points about death.<ref>Kane, P. V. (1953) ''History of Dharmasastra, Volume 4 (Pataka, Prayaschitta, Karmavipaka, Antyesti, Asauca, Shuddhi, Sraddha and Tirthayatra).'' Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. (Pages 179 -)</ref> While the physical body is perishable, death did not cause the entire annihilation of man. [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]] extols that the process of death involves the separation of the [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] from the body.  Many experience a separation of the Atman from the body, as in dreams. The distinction between such a separation and that of death was that the latter was final, a point of no return. Thus, though deceased, disembodied, the Atman continues to be living according to the principles of Sanatana Dharma.<ref name=":12" /> Recent researchers mention the records of the "near death experiences", at times of severe sickness when the person "experiences" separation of the Atma from the body. While such records cannot be physically verified nor can the experiences can be observed directly by [[Pramanas in Astika Darshanas (आस्तिकदर्शन-प्रमाणानि)|Pratyaksha pramana]], most patients describe the experience as 'leaving the body' and 'close to death' and subsequently they 'return to the body'.  

Death has been generally looked upon with feelings of awe and terror, as loss of companion at a personal level, loss of a part of the family at the societal level. Though there were those who were philosophically inclined and looked at it as a blessing, a release from the limitations of the body. The mystery surrounding death and the thoughts as to where the Jiva goes after death along with the pain of the survivors are the characteristic points about death.<ref name=":2">Kane, P. V. (1953) ''History of Dharmasastra, Volume 4 (Pataka, Prayaschitta, Karmavipaka, Antyesti, Asauca, Shuddhi, Sraddha and Tirthayatra).'' Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. (Pages 179 -)</ref> While the physical body is perishable, death did not cause the entire annihilation of man. [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]] extols that the process of death involves the separation of the [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] from the body.  Many experience a separation of the Atman from the body, as in dreams. The distinction between such a separation and that of death was that the latter was final, a point of no return. Thus, though deceased, disembodied, the Atman continues to be living according to the principles of Sanatana Dharma.<ref name=":12" /> Recent researchers mention the records of the "near death experiences", at times of severe sickness when the person "experiences" separation of the Atma from the body. While such records cannot be physically verified nor can the experiences can be observed directly by [[Pramanas in Astika Darshanas (आस्तिकदर्शन-प्रमाणानि)|Pratyaksha pramana]], most patients describe the experience as 'leaving the body' and 'close to death' and subsequently they 'return to the body'.  

According to [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]] the dead person’s Atman which is imperishable will go and join the Pitrloka (पित्रृलोकः). He will reach the specified lokas either through the [[Devayana Marga and Pitruyana Marga (देवयानमार्गः पितृयानमार्गः च।)|Devayana or Pitryana margas]] according to his Karma. The entry of the Jiva into [[Naraka (नरकम्)]] loka is not mentioned in Rigveda. [[Karma (कर्म)]] and [[Kala (कालः)]] play an important role in deciding the course of Jivatma to particular lokas.

According to [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]] the dead person’s Atman which is imperishable will go and join the Pitrloka (पित्रृलोकः). He will reach the specified lokas either through the [[Devayana Marga and Pitruyana Marga (देवयानमार्गः पितृयानमार्गः च।)|Devayana or Pitryana margas]] according to his Karma. The entry of the Jiva into [[Naraka (नरकम्)]] loka is not mentioned in Rigveda. [[Karma (कर्म)]] and [[Kala (कालः)]] play an important role in deciding the course of Jivatma to particular lokas.

=== Who are not cremated? ===

=== Who are not cremated? ===

Thus the release of the Atman from the bodily material for its onward journey - is the focus of this samskara. And this lies in the principles of Punarjanma and experiencing after-life based on the Karma that has been done by the deceased. Hence children under the age of initiation or puberty are buried, some view this is done to secure their rebirth.

Thus the release of the Atman from the bodily material for its onward journey - is the focus of this samskara. And this is associated with the principles of Punarjanma and experiencing after-life based on the Karma of the deceased. Hence children under the age of initiation or puberty are buried, some view this is done to secure their rebirth.  

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The Saṃskāra to be performed at the end (of life), i.e. at the time of death of a person. The earlier fifteen Saṃskāras are performed while a person is alive. The last one, viz. Antyeṣṭi is performed after death of a person in order to get him a comfortable position.  

The Saṃskāra to be performed at the end (of life), i.e. at the time of death of a person. The earlier fifteen Saṃskāras are performed while a person is alive. The last one, viz. Antyeṣṭi is performed after death of a person in order to get him a comfortable position.