What Happens If a Person Is Not Carried on an Arthi? Ancient Scriptures Explain

What happens if a person isn’t carried on an arthi? Ancient Shashtra and Vedic wisdom explain the deep spiritual impact on the soul and family.

In Sanatan Dharma, the arthi is not merely a physical structure; it is a sacrosanct pathway to help the soul rise upwards in peace and equanimity. Ancient Shashtra, Vedic wisdom, and stories narrated in the Puranas explain that, sans an arthi with its four shoulders, there is no peaceful passage of the soul, leading to restlessness both for the departed and the family. This article explores the deep spiritual meaning behind the arthi and why our sanatangyan traditions insist on following it with devotion.

The Forgotten Importance of the Arthi in Sanatan Dharma

When a person passes away, most families enter a moment of emotional shock. In such times, many tend to overlook ancient traditions, thinking some practices are unnecessary. One such misunderstood practice is the use of an arthi—a funeral bier made of bamboo. Some people believe it is just a simple structure tied with rope, without any real spiritual significance.

However, according to Sanatangyan wisdom, this belief is incorrect. The arthi is far more than a physical frame; it is a vital spiritual vehicle through which the soul transitions from the earthly realm to the next stage of its journey.

In today’s modern lifestyle, people often skip this ritual entirely. Many simply place the body on a stretcher and transport it in an ambulance directly to the cremation ground. Although convenient, this method is not aligned with the ancient shashtra. It leaves the final rites incomplete and creates obstacles for the departed soul.

The Scriptural Warning

One of the foremost texts on life, death, and the afterlife, according to the Garuda Purana, tells of an interesting episode. Dhaniram passed away. While performing his last funeral rites, the one performing his last rites, the priest, the person performing the last funeral rites, did not place the fiery altar on one of his four shoulders, the one of which is considered mandatory in the traditional Sanatan Dharma.

Soon after, his soul began wandering without any rest. His family endured disturbances, calamities, and emotional disharmony as well. Then came a wise sadhu who had to console the family by recalling a Sanskrit verse which says,

“यस्य चतुर्थं स्कन्धं प्रेतस्य न भवति,

तं न शान्तिः न स्वर्गः न गतिः भवति।” — Garuda Purana

 “If a departed soul does not receive the fourth shoulder on the arthi, it attains neither peace, nor heaven, nor progress toward liberation.”

This is not a symbolic statement—it is a spiritual law recorded in the ancient Sanatana texts. The number four represents stability, direction, and balance. Just as the four Vedas form the foundation of dharma, the four shoulders form the foundation of the soul’s final journey.

Why Four Shoulders Matter

The four shoulders represent:

• Dharma

• Artha

• Kama

• Moksha

These are the four purusharthas , the aims of a human being according to the Vedic shashtra. When four individuals bear the arthi, it signifies that all the dimensions of life assist the soul in its journey towards moksha. Skipping the arthi breaks this sacred alignment.

The Arthi as a Spiritual Bridge

Sadhus and gurus explain that the arthi is more than a carrier; it serves as a bridge between worlds. As he is being carried upon it, a small detachment occurs. The soul understands that the journey on earth is over, and prepares to advance to the next stage.

The Atharva Veda beautifully supports this idea:

“देहो नश्यति, आत्मा तु नित्यः।”

“The body perishes, but the soul is eternal.”

The arthi honors this truth. It ensures that the final journey is guided, respectful, and spiritually complete.

Chanting God’s Name During the Final Walk

As the arthi is lifted and taken towards the cremation ground, the people walking alongside traditionally chant:

“राम नाम सत्य है”

These chants serve two purposes:

• They guide the soul toward light and peace.

• They remind the living of the eternal truth of existence.

Even contemporary spiritual teachers strongly advocate that such divine chanting constructs a sort of energetic wrap around the soul that is leaving, enabling it to effortlessly reach the elevated planes.

What If the Arthi Is Not Used?

According to Shashtra, avoiding the arthi can:

• Disturb the soul’s transition

• Create restlessness around the family

• Delay the journey toward devlok or pitrlok

• Cause subtle energies to remain in the earthly plane

This is not superstition; it is spiritual science preserved for thousands of years.

Missing the arthi is not merely skipping a ritual; it hampers the pious journey of the soul. As taught by ancient Sanatangyan wisdom and Vedic shashtra, the arthi ensures that the soul finds peace, guidance, and liberation. By continuing this tradition, one pays due respect to the dead and the living.