Why do we have the cremation?

Before we have to answer the above question with any of its own reason, so we have to understand the meaning of the ( Pitra Yadnya) cremation with its diversity of existence. Pitra Yadnya means a sincere devotion to the ancestors, especially to our parents. We are all greatly owe our parents because of the father’s sperm and our mother’s ovum, then through the blood and the umbilical cord of our mother, we are fed with all kind of food that makes us growing and becoming a baby. Our mother gives a birth with such a pain, caring and breastfeeds us till we grow up to be a cute child.

Where do the foods come from? When we were in the womb, the food was in the blood of our mother and being transferred to us, the foods come from the nature that our mother eats, drinks and breathe. It is the fact that can’t be denied. So basically our body is created with the same elements that are used to create the universe. In the Balinese Hindu, it is called Panca Maha Bhuta which consists of Pertiwi (earth), Apah (Water), Teja ( Fire or Light) Bayu ( air) and Akasa ( Space, Ether).

From the elements, we got the life and we owe them for that. We owe them as long as the elements are still in a form of body either when we still alive or after we die. As a debt, it is a duty and responsibility for us to pay it off when the time comes. During our life we carefully look after our body but after it is not needed anymore by the soul, we have to return every element back to its origin. In our Balinese Hindu’s culture, it is the cremation that is conducted in returning the elements to its origin. As a religious and cultured human being and to show our affection, respect, responsibility and honor to our loved family member or ancestors, of course it is not enough just simply burn the body. So an elaborate and beautiful cremation is often being conducted by the family to fulfill the emotion, sense of beauty, respect and manner.