Good Works Could Earn Freedom

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30454, 30 May 1964, Page 13

Good Works Could Earn Freedom

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

NEW DELHI, May 29.

When Mr Nehru’s worn body was burned his spirit was set free, perhaps for ever, devout Hindus believe.

At the very worst, the flames released his soul for another incarnation instantly, according to the Hindu faith.

At best—because he was a member of the Brahmin priestly caste —devout Hindus believe his soul had a chance to become immortal, free forever from the mortal coil of incarnation. So, when his grandson Sanjay touched a flame to the sandalwood pyre, hundreds of thousands of Hindus prayed aloud: “Jawaharlal Nehru amare hai” (May Jawaharlal Nehru be immortal). In that moment the soul took flight, the faithful believe, though they do not know where. If incarnated again, Nehru’s

spirit was already reborn last night in an infant somewhere, they believe. Ancient Hindu teaching is that each life is only a passing phase for one’s immortal soul.

Mr Nehru was an agnostic who seldom if ever went near a temple. Nevertheless, his good works on behalf of Indian and world society, many Hindus believe, could earn him freedom from mortal life. To many Western observers under the broiling sun the public cremation must have seemed an odd, perhaps a distasteful method, of removing the deceased from the scene. But to the Hindu faithfu]

it was an indispensable necessity and a mass assertion of faith to which some responded with violent fervour. Hindus have a horror of being buried after death because it would tie their spirits to their corpses. The ashes of Mr Nehru are expected to be collected by his family. Later they will be scattered in Indian holy places.