Hindu Traditions Concerning the Personal Belongings of the Deceased
According to Hindu scriptures, most notably the Garuda Purana , family members are forbidden to acquire, retain or use certain personal belongings of a deceased relative. The principal spiritual reasons underlying this restriction are the concepts of Prana (life energy) and Moha (attachment). The Shastras explain that, even after the physical body has been cremated, the soul ( Jeeva ) remains emotionally attached to the material objects it used during its lifetime. Retaining or using these objects is believed to anchor the departed soul to the earthly plane, thereby obstructing its progress towards liberation ( Mukti ) and attracting negative energies into the household. The scriptures state that the following specific items should not be acquired or used by relatives. 1. Daily Clothing ( Vastra ) You should never wear or retain the personal clothing worn by a deceased relative. The reason: A person's clothes are believed to absorb their p...
