"What happens after death?" Nachiketa asked this of Yama in the Katha Upanisad. The answer comes clearly from the Vedic texts. The body ends. The soul continues.
The Immortal Nature of the Soul (Atman)
Only the body dies. The soul does not. Bhagavad Gita 2.20: without birth, without death. Consciousness remains. The body changes. It does not. Like old clothes exchanged for new (Gita 2.22).
The Process of Transmigration (Samsara)
The jiva leaves the annamaya kosa. The nadis stop. Pranas fail. Desires retract. The suksma sarira carries the vasanas. Pranas exit with the soul.
### The Three Bodies
1. Gross Body (Sthula Sarira): Visible, five elements. Returns to nature at death. 2. Subtle Body (Suksma Sarira): Pranamaya, manomaya, vijnanamaya. Emotions, mind, karma. Travels with the soul. 3. Causal Body (Karana Sarira): Base of individuality. Samskaras for the next life.
Post-Death Destinations
The Upanisads and Gita: karma decides.
Devayana (Path of the Gods): Pure, meditators on Brahman. Brahmaloka. Moksa there. No return. Pitryana (Path of the Ancestors): Good deeds, rituals. Chandraloka. Enjoy. Exhaust karma. Return to Earth. Lower Destinations: Impure. Naraka purifies. Rebirth as animal or plant.
The Law of Karma at Death
Gita 8.6: the last thought defines what comes next. Samskaras guide. Gunas: sattva goes high, rajas middle, tamas low.
The Ultimate Goal: Moksa
Samsara turns until moksa. Atman = Brahman. No more birth. The Katha Upanisad: one with the infinite, bliss.
Conscious Preparation
Death is a transition. Sleep before waking. Do not fear. Prepare: elevated thoughts, sadhana, viveka, detachment.
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