Inspite of the valiant efforts of our PM and CMs, a number of people continue to shamelessly die in this pandemic, just to give our dear leaders a bad name on the global stage.
In such a scenario, it has become imperative to express our condolences almost daily, even when we differ with the decision of the soul to depart.
One phrase that people commonly use to express their condolence is RIP. An acronym of requiescat in pace, or rest in peace, this phrase can not apply to Hindu, Jain or Sikh fellows. In order to rest in peace, either the body or the soul must rest. But the body has been cremated. And the soul in these traditions is indestructible - either it is reborn, or it achieves nirvana/moksha. (Sometimes the soul is neither recycled nor put out of cycle. The soul becomes tristated, a ghost. It then goes and rests upside down on a tree. That's the outcome you don't want.)
Back when it was still acceptable to speak in Hindi on social occasions, one could simply say "भगवान उनकी आत्मा को शान्ति दे", or "भगवान उनको मोक्ष प्रदान करे". Today, an "om shanti" will suffice, because both words are now accepted in the English language. Better still, stick to emoji: "🙏🏽🤗"
If the dead person is an atheist like me, just say "ah, that sucks". 0% atheists are looking forward to turning into ashes and dust. An even lesser number is looking forward to an afterlife - we just hate to be proven wrong.
(if you do not appreciate my lame attempt at humour on this topic, it's ok. Neither do I. But I tried the non funny version and it was even weirder.)
In such a scenario, it has become imperative to express our condolences almost daily, even when we differ with the decision of the soul to depart.
One phrase that people commonly use to express their condolence is RIP. An acronym of requiescat in pace, or rest in peace, this phrase can not apply to Hindu, Jain or Sikh fellows. In order to rest in peace, either the body or the soul must rest. But the body has been cremated. And the soul in these traditions is indestructible - either it is reborn, or it achieves nirvana/moksha. (Sometimes the soul is neither recycled nor put out of cycle. The soul becomes tristated, a ghost. It then goes and rests upside down on a tree. That's the outcome you don't want.)
Back when it was still acceptable to speak in Hindi on social occasions, one could simply say "भगवान उनकी आत्मा को शान्ति दे", or "भगवान उनको मोक्ष प्रदान करे". Today, an "om shanti" will suffice, because both words are now accepted in the English language. Better still, stick to emoji: "🙏🏽🤗"
If the dead person is an atheist like me, just say "ah, that sucks". 0% atheists are looking forward to turning into ashes and dust. An even lesser number is looking forward to an afterlife - we just hate to be proven wrong.
(if you do not appreciate my lame attempt at humour on this topic, it's ok. Neither do I. But I tried the non funny version and it was even weirder.)