The decree of the Vedas is 'भस्मान्तं शरीरम्' (Yv. XL. 15) which means that the only obligation for the dead body is to convert it to ashes through the process of burning, in accordance with prescribed rites. This enables the five earthly elements of the body namely ether, wind, fire, water and earth to conjoin with their respective regions in the Creation. This is called 'अन्त्येष्टि' (the final duty) which is 'भस्मान्तम्' i.e reduction of the dead body to ashes. On the other hand, the motion of the departed soul abides by the immutable Law of Karma and is in the control of God.
Fragrant, disinfectant and nutritious materials like pure ghee, camphor, resin, sandle powder, clove etc are used during combustion of the dead body in the cremation ground. The kith and kin of the deceased offer oblation of ghee with long spoons whereas well-wishers offer Havan Samagri (the fragrant substance as stated above) over the dead body, placed on the burning bed. Vedic verses are recited by a scholarly priest convening deep meaning of human life, the immutable law of Karma and glory of the just and the kind God etc.
After the devastating war of Mahabharata (occurred about five thousand and two hundred years ago), the study of the Vedas was virtually discontinued due to inhilation of scholars along with warriors in the battle field. In the Vedic doctrine, the soul, reaches the womb of a mother of any species after death according to its Karma, just as a leech leaves the hind leg only after placing the front one. On one hand, the age-old respectful and hygienic method of disposal of dead body was degenerated and on the other hand, Vedic concept of whereabout the soul after leaving the body gave way to ridiculous and un Vedic practices.
About three thousand years after Mahabharata war, Buddhism was widely preached in China. Chineese Buddhists often travelled to Bodha Gaya in India as their most holy pilgrimage. Sometimes, when some old pilgrims died there, their funeral duties were performed as per ancient Chineese tradition of burning the dead body accompanied with daily necessities of life like food, clothes, furniture etc. Such un Vedic performance of the Chineese was initially resisted by Hindu priests. But they were later subdued by greed and ignorance and adopted the same practice. Gradually Hindus also started going to Gaya on pilgrimage along with their traditional destinations like Prayag, Kashi, Hardiwar etc.
That was the period when different Puranas were in the process of being composed. These Puranas were written by different religious sects in different times, expressing contradictory remarks on several issues. The authorship of all the Puranas was ludicrously attributed to Maharshi Vedavyas of Mahabharata period. Each Purana paid reverence to Vedas in letters, but it deviated in reality from the Vedic concepts like monotheism, respect to woman, Varna system based on aptitude and duty of each individual etc. Many of the contents of the Puranas relate to miracles, self-contradiction and often to disgusting and obscene statements. Many of the Vedic depictions on natural events in the Creation were personified in the form of unreasonable and miraculous stories.
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