Alternative to "rest in peace" (RIP)

Question

What should be said on the death of a Hindu, instead of RIP?

I am given to understand that religions like Christianity and Islam use the phrase RIP in relation to a dead person, so that he/she rests in his/her grave till the judgement day.

Since Hinduism has no such concept, what alternative to RIP should Hindus use (in accordance with scriptures/dharma) to offer wishes towards a dead person?

Something like "May you attain Moksha" might suite here (preferably in Sanskrit), as in Hindus "Moksha Prapti" is considered as the ultimate goal. — V.Aggarwal, Apr 22 '19 at 11:34
@V.Aggarwal, what do you see people saying/wishing for the deceased person (preferably in rural areas) ? — spkakkar, Apr 22 '19 at 11:37
@spkakkar Never observed anything like this, so I don't really know. — V.Aggarwal, Apr 22 '19 at 11:39
@LazyLubber, please write your answer, with a brief explanation. I think sadgati is the word! — spkakkar, Apr 23 '19 at 07:10
@spkakkar Sadgati is used only in case of accidental deaths.Please read Sraddhatattva:) — , Apr 23 '19 at 16:08
@LazyLubber There are specific srAddha mantras.I do not think go as u like or say as u like can be advised here. — , Apr 23 '19 at 16:34
@LazyLubber sadgati praptirastu--is it correct Sanskrit even? — , Apr 23 '19 at 16:35
@LazyLubber He is asking 'for a hindu'.So wd we suggest our constructed ideas in wrong Sanskrit? — , Apr 23 '19 at 16:37
@LazyLubber Do you know Sanskrit so that I cd try to make u understand? pl let me know that first — , Apr 23 '19 at 16:39
@LazyLubber There are karta karma and kriya in a sentences.karta and karma should be in appropriate karaka and vibhakti and the kriya form should correspond to that.Further NO mantra can be constructed.I have tried:) — , Apr 23 '19 at 16:42
@commonman I dont think OP is asking for a mantra. He is asking for a phrase. Anyway, do you mean to say it should be sadgatiM prAptirastu? — , Apr 23 '19 at 16:47
@LazyLubber No that also is not correct I am afraid.And why shd such a prayer be made in Sanskrit at all if we are not botherd abt our mantras and scriptures? Prayer can be mentally uttered in any language! — , Apr 23 '19 at 16:50
@commonman OP is not asking for a prayer. He is asking for a phrase. — , Apr 23 '19 at 16:52

score 3 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 02 '21 at 05:09

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Swami Vivekananda mentions :

in Western language, a man gives up the ghost, but in our language a man gives up his body. (CW).

So people in the Western Coutries identify the individual with the body of that individual which is buried. So there is the conecept of RIP.

The Hindus, when one dies, say that he or she has given up the body (deha-tyAga). So they cremate or burn the body and then do the srAddha rituals for the peace of the soul. It is believed that srAddha ceremony, if properly done, pleases the pitris and the God and the departed soul is able to move to heaven and enjoy bliss there.There is the notion of rebirth also.

So there is no concept of RIP in hindu culture.

The substitute of the wishful word is 'SvadhA' which means

sweet libation, oblation to the Manes (sanskritdictionary.com)

The oblation of food offered to the Pitṛs or Manes of deceased ancestors; स्वधासंग्रहतत्पराः (svadhāsaṃgrahatatparāḥ) R.1.66; Ms.9.142; Y.1.12. (wisdomlib)

edited Jun 02 '21 at 05:09

Talk is Cheap Show me Code

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answered Apr 22 '19 at 11:20

Thanks for your time sir. Deha-tyAga is a fact. But rest-in-peace is a wish that people make for the deceased person. I was looking for substitute of that "wishful words". – spkakkar Apr 22 '19 at 11:35
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SvadhA is the wishful word that pleases the departed soul via pleasing the pitris.You are welcome. – Apr 22 '19 at 11:36
Okay sir. While this may be the apt word. I have a follow-up question: What do you hear people (Hindus) saying/wishing for the deceased person (preferably in rural areas) ? Please tell from your experiences. – spkakkar Apr 22 '19 at 11:39
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'Let him/her go to heaven' (svarga). The ' Akshaya-Svarga-kamana' is there in the SrAddha also. – Apr 22 '19 at 11:41
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I don't know why I see so many people here saying that Christians or other foreigners think that a person is their body or don't believe in souls. It is a commonplace in Euro-USian culture that the soul leaves the body at death. – Zanna Apr 22 '19 at 13:49
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We don't say "left the ghost". Rather the "ghost" leaves the body. But we also say "soul" all the time. In fact Christians constantly talk about souls and many consider the idea of ghosts as superstition – Zanna Apr 22 '19 at 14:20
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I concur that it is certainly not the case that Christians, at least, identify the body with the soul. In the west, Christians hold that the soul is one's "true being" and the body is merely a vessel. The difference with eastern religions arises as to what happens to the soul after death. Easterners frequently allow for the soul to continue here on Earth, often in another body (reincarnation). Christians hold that the soul goes elsewhere at death and never comes back to Earth. Judaism, interestingly, is famously ambiguous about what happens after death. – Him Apr 22 '19 at 19:46
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@Scott I prefer to have faith in the words of Swami Vivekananda.Thanks:) – Apr 23 '19 at 17:06
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@Zanna I prefer to have faith in the words of Swami Vivekananda. – Apr 23 '19 at 17:08
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That's your choice. But I'm British and I went to two church affiliated schools (primary and secondary) and a Christian after school club as a teen. So you're denying my lifelong experience on the basis of what someone said about a religion they didn't believe in. – Zanna Apr 23 '19 at 17:32
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Mind my language? Someone is just any person. I apologise for any offence. Certainly unintended. Christianity is a young religion - perhaps it got the idea of souls from India somehow. But it is an absolutely basic and essential idea in Christianity. – Zanna Apr 23 '19 at 17:58
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You may find this wikipedia page informative on the subject of the Christian concept of a soul. – Him Apr 23 '19 at 18:10
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I'm not religious, so no offense taken. However, I live in "the bible belt" and like 90% of people around me are religious. Just thought I might share my observations of religion as westerners actually live it day to day. – Him Apr 23 '19 at 20:45

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 22 '19 at 18:04

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We generally say 'Bhagwaan uski aatma ko shaanti de' means 'May God provide peace to his/her soul'. Since body is cremated and Soul cannot die, so the soul should have a positive/peaceful energy instead of negative/violent energy.

answered Apr 22 '19 at 18:04

Shefali Kumawat

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Namaste Shefali ji, according to my view, this phrase "aatma ko shaanti de" is semantic adoption of RIP. Modern Hindus have a total disconnect from their roots. They just copy the idea. Anyway, thanks for your time. – spkakkar Apr 22 '19 at 20:30
Welcome to HSE! You should cite sources. – TheLittleNaruto Jun 02 '21 at 06:22

Alternative to "rest in peace" (RIP)

2 Answers2