A better death, answer by Manonatha Dasa

Next question: Is there any spiritual benefit for the soul of a person who has died to have Radha Kund water sprinkled on the corps before the burial? This person was not acquainted with Krishna conciousness during his life. Is there anything that can be done for his soul?

Gracias anticipadas por tu contestacion.

Ys, ***
sept 05

Answer

Dear *** Prabhu,
please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thanks for allowing me some association with all of you through epistolar exchange.

When in a human body, the soul keeps a type of relationship with the body which is closer respect to other forms of life. This is because of exercise of superior intelligence that, when misused, develops superior specific attachment. This is so true that it is said in the shastra that after death the soul stays for some time near the dead body. This happens because of attachment and the ignorant soul dreams to go back there again and tries to supervise his old business so that everything may go for the best.
Out of foolish material identification, he stays around his family and business for some time.

The human body and the soul have a stronger karmic relationship. At the moment of death this is not immediately severed and even when the soul enters into another body some type of relationship is still there, so much so that the Vedas instruct the relatives to perform purificatory cerimonies (like pinda for instance) for years after his death and the effect is there.

Therefore putting Radhakunda water or other purificatory elements on the body of the deceased is effective and should be done out of mercy for the soul who wasted his human life searching for irreal dreams.

Your servant
Manonatha Dasa (ACBSP)