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mṛityu-vidhi-nāma

Ritual for the dead

    I prostrate myself before Hevajra!
    Any person dies. And if one wishes to perform the burning [using] the seven [syllables] according to the tradition of Hevajra, then use as a base one symbol such as a garment, etc., or also write the name on paper. Also set up a mandala, offerings, and torma according to the text.
    Then, when meditating on yourself as an exalted deity, invoke the mandala of original wisdom. When you realize the offerings with special gifts, realize the praises with hymns. When you offer the torma to the dakinis, fulfill prayers for the desired goals.
    Then with the help of rays of light from the seed syllable in your own heart seize with an iron hook of rays of light the mind of the deceased in the form of the syllable a-maloye [Tibetan syllable]. Having done so, dissolve it in that which is the foundation.
    When you visualize everything there as a fully matured body, emit rays of light from the seed syllable in your own heart. By dissolving in the heart of the one for whom the practice is being practiced, all obscurations and deeds are purified. Visualize the body becoming like a crystal.
    Then with the help of the water stream of nectar from the vase-vase, which is in the hands of the goddess of realization and the mandala of primordial wisdom together with the dakinya, the initiation is given. Visualize that by means of ablution all the habitual tendencies of pollution of the one for whom the practice is being performed are purified.
    Then perform the recitation and visualize while doing so the spinning as a tangle of snakes of a garland of repeated syllables [arising] from the syllable in one's heart. Through the repetition of all the mantras of this garland, rays of light are emitted from the garland of mantra. These [rays of light] dissolve in the heart of the one for whom the practice is performed. Visualize that due to this, all impurities of the veils of body, speech and mind are purified and continue the recitation.
    Then realize the prayer-wishing and transform into the root of virtue.
    Then the consciousness of the one for whom the practice is performed is gathered into the small syllable a. Imagine that after being shaken by the mandala wind of the syllable yaṁ, it dissolves into the heart of the main [deity] who is in heavenly space. Leaves the abode [in this world].
    Otherwise, if there is no basis [for practicing], visualize like the apparently visible self the fully matured body of any [deceased being]. When you do so, act with the clear understanding that similar to what was shown before.
    Perform the like for all for seven days.
    Thus concludes the “Ritual for the Deceased” compiled by the great acharya Krishnapada.
    It was heard from the great sage Jin Karnapada. Shakya monk, Nyima Gyaltshen Pal Zangpo translated in the great temple of Pal Tharpa Ling. Translated by Lama Karma Paljor (O.E. Filippov).