Terahvin : A Soul's 13 Days after the Death
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Soul Returns to Earth
- What Happens in Those 13 Days?
- Who Shares the Rice Balls?
- Day-by-Day Formation of the Subtle Body
- Departure on the 13th Day
- The Long Journey to Yamaloka
- Additional Insights from the Scriptures
Introduction
In my previous Chapter we have read about the torments that the soul gets, its visit to YamaLoka and back to earth.
I am sure you must have seen in Movies that, the moment a person dies, the next moment his travel starts to YamaLoka and later on he goes to Heaven or Hell according to his deeds! But that's not exactly how it happens!!
The Soul Returns to Earth
After reaching to YamaLoka, again the soul is Sent to Earth, near its relatives where the soul sees its relatives crying in misery.
The soul remains there itself for the next 13 days.
What Happens in Those 13 Days?
According to Hindu Rituals, the son of the dead Has to do Shraadh (Special Rituals Done after Death).
The son offers Rice balls in the Ritual for next 13 days continuously. These Rice Balls are divided into 4 parts.
Who All Share the Rice Balls?
- 2 of the 4 portions give nourishment to the 5 elements which makeup human body (Earth, Fire, Wind, Water and Sky).
- Third portion goes to the messengers of Yama.
- The soul lives upon the 4th portion of Rice Balls.
From each day's offering of Rice Balls the body starts to form for the soul.
Day-by-Day Formation of the Subtle Body
- Day 1: By the rice balls of the first day, the Head is formed.
- Day 2: By the rice balls of the second day, the Neck and the shoulders are formed.
- Day 3: By the rice balls of the third day, the Heart is formed.
- Day 4: By the 4th, the Back forms.
- Day 5: By the 5th, Navel.
- Day 6: By the 6th, the Hips and Secret Parts.
- Day 7: By the 7th, thighs are formed.
- Day 8: By 8th, knees.
- Day 9: Feet is formed on the 9th day's offering.
- Day 10: By the 10th day Hunger and Thirst.
The Soul feeds on the rice balls offered on 11th and 12th day.
Departure on the 13th Day
On 13th day the minute body which is formed in the last 12 days eats its last share of Rice balls and gets energy and departs, bound by the servants of Yama, it slowly walks along like a captured monkey.
The Long Journey to Yamaloka
The extent of way of Yama measures 86,000 Yojanas (1 Yojana = 8-9 miles).
The Departed keeps on travelling 247 Yojanas (247 × 8 miles) daily, day and night, without rest.
The departed has to cross 18 cities / junctions before reaching the destination Place of Yama.
"If you think that life is bad, I am sure after reading this you will come to know that LIFE AFTER DEATH IS WORSE"
Next Chapter : Punishments in Hell and Signs of Sins
Additional Insights from the Scriptures
According to the Garuda Purana and related smriti texts, the 13-day period (known as Terahvin or the preta-kala) is extremely significant because the subtle body (sukshma sharira) of the departed is still incomplete and highly vulnerable. During these days the soul is neither fully free nor fully bound; it remains near the family, observing the grief and the rituals. Proper performance of the pinda-daan (rice-ball offerings) is believed to provide the necessary nourishment so that the soul does not suffer extreme hunger or become a restless preta. Many families also perform additional rites such as the daily tarpana, lighting of a continuous lamp, and feeding of Brahmins or the needy, which are said to transfer merit (punya) to the departed. On the 11th and 12th days special emphasis is placed on the offering of sesame, water, and clothes, while the 13th day (or sometimes the 12th in some traditions) marks the formal release of the soul for its onward journey. Skipping or improperly performing these rites is traditionally considered to increase the difficulties the soul faces on the long road to Yamaloka. Ultimately, the scriptures remind us that righteous living, charity, and devotion while still alive remain the best preparation for this inevitable passage.
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