In our modern rational world, the term “ghost” often evokes fear, disbelief, or sensationalism. However, when viewed through the lens of Hindu Vedic philosophy, the notion of ghosts shifts from superstition to a deeper metaphysical reality. In this article, I use the term "ghosts" not to entertain the imagination but to decode what wandering souls truly are, how they exist beyond the boundaries of our perception, and how ancient Indian scriptures meticulously describe their nature and types.
If you are reading this article, you
should read the first part of this article –
Who
Are the Ghosts? Exploring the Vedic
Perspective on Life Beyond Death
🌌 Beyond the Five Elements: Understanding the
Invisible
Human perception is limited. We
understand the world through the five Mahabhutas- Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jal),
Fire (Agni), Air (Vayu), and Ether (Akasha). Anything beyond this elemental
framework becomes difficult to perceive, let alone understand. This is where
the Vedic philosophy becomes crucial; it doesn’t restrict itself to the seen
world but goes far beyond, into the metaphysical realms.
When a soul separates from the
physical body but does not proceed to the next stage of evolution or rebirth,
it is sometimes bound to the earthly plane by intense desires, attachments, or
unfinished karmic imprints. While the modern world calls these entities
“ghosts,” Vedic scriptures provide detailed taxonomies of such souls,
describing their composition and intent.
The Taittiriya
Upanishad (2.1) mentions: “From bliss
(Ananda), all beings are born. By bliss, they live. Into bliss they enter
again.”
Thus, the Anandamaya Kosha, the
deepest layer, is not limited by space, time, or material laws. It is
multidimensional, which makes these entities incomprehensible to ordinary human
senses. Still, through spiritual practices and meditation, sages and yogis have
interacted with these realms, describing them in our scriptures with remarkable
consistency.
🧬 Beyond Western Science: Thought, Memory, and
Intellect
Modern science has tried comparing
human memory with computer memory, but such analogies fall short. Computers
operate on logic, zeros and ones, and mechanical memory — a storage of data.
But the Vijnanamaya Kosha, the intellect sheath, is a dynamic and
intuitive force. It contains not just accumulated knowledge, but lived
experience, karmic residue, and emotional imprints.
Human thoughts arise not only from
learned memory but from deeper reservoirs of past lives, intuitive flashes, and
unresolved emotions. When a soul becomes stuck due to these unresolved
impressions, it takes form as a wandering spirit. This is not simply
“energy,” but a conscious, aware, yet disembodied presence.
👻 Types of Ghosts in Hindu Scriptures
Based on their residual koshas and
karmic attachments, Hindu texts classify wandering souls into several
categories. These are not just mythical characters but metaphysical realities
described with clarity in various Puranas, Upanishads, and Tantric scriptures.
1. Bhoota (भूत) – Transitional Spirits
A Bhoota is simply “one who has
existed.” Everyone passes through this stage post-death. If the transition
happens smoothly within 13 days (as per the Garuda Purana), the soul moves on.
Otherwise, it can become a Pret or worse.
Bhootas are not usually harmful. They
are the in-betweeners — not yet free, not yet bound.
2. Preta (प्रेत) – The Restless Dead
The Sanskrit word “Preta” means
“departed.” These are souls who have died but whose final rites have not been
completed, or who have died with unfulfilled desires. Their intellect is
dormant, but their Manomaya Kosha (desire body) is hyperactive.
Their cravings may range from material
needs like food, sex, or alcohol, to emotional longings like vengeance, love,
or grief. Pretas are not inherently harmful, but their presence can disturb the
living if not addressed.
Garuda Purana
(Preta Khanda) describes how Pretas suffer without offerings from the living,
wandering in darkness until their desires fade.
3. Pishacha (पिशाच) – The Malevolent
These are malevolent spirits formed
due to violent deaths, crimes, suicides, or deep hatred. Pishachas have
corrupted Vijnanamaya Kosha and are driven by tamasic (dark) energy.
They reside in graveyards, ruins, or
abandoned places and may attempt to influence the weak-minded. The Atharva
Veda contains mantras to ward off such entities, acknowledging their
presence while also offering protection.
4. Vetala (वेताल) – The Possessors
Vetalas are ancient spirits known for
inhabiting corpses. These entities possess high awareness and knowledge and
can detach and reattach themselves from physical forms.
In the Kathasaritsagara, King
Vikramaditya’s dialogues with a Vetala are famous for testing wisdom and
morality. These spirits are often used in advanced occult practices.
5. Brahmarakshas
(ब्रह्मराक्षस) – The Fallen Wise
A Brahmarakshasa is a person who
misused spiritual power or performed forbidden rituals for selfish reasons.
These beings were once learned Brahmins or yogis who deviated from Dharma.
The Brahma Purana mentions such
beings: immensely powerful, intelligent, but destructive due to their ego or
spiritual corruption. They are considered the most dangerous class of spirits.
6. Dakini &
Daka (डाकिनी, डाक) – Tantric Guardians
These are not wandering souls but
feminine and masculine spiritual energies tied to Tantric deities,
especially Devi Kali. In some family traditions, Dakinis are worshipped as
guardians. When respected, they offer protection and strength. When summoned
forcefully or disrespected, they can become fierce.
The Rudrayamala Tantra
describes Dakinis as subtle beings associated with Shakti’s will. They are
invoked in rituals for wisdom, healing, and spiritual transformation.
7. Mahabala (महाबल) – Unborn Divine Forces
Mahabala, meaning “great strength,”
are primordial feminine powers. These are not departed souls, but pre-cosmic
Shaktis. They appear as protectors in spiritual traditions, often revered in
Shakta paths.
They can help human beings in
difficult times, provided they are honored and not misused.
🔱 Are They Demons or Simply Misunderstood?
In English, the word “demon” is
liberally used for all spirits, regardless of their nature. This is a
disservice to Vedic nuance. Not all disembodied beings are evil. Many are
neutral, some are helpful, and only a few are truly destructive.
“Yad bhavam tad
bhavati” – As your attitude is, so is your experience (Bhagavad Gita).
If approached with reverence, clarity,
and spiritual discipline, even higher-dimensional beings can be guides rather
than threats.
🧘♂️ How to Protect and Interact
In Hinduism, there is no fear of
ghosts, only awareness. Rituals like:
- Shraddha & Pind Daan (ancestor offerings)
- Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (protection)
- Homa (Fire rituals) for purification
- Satvik lifestyle to avoid tamasic influences
These are not superstitions but
carefully encoded spiritual technologies to maintain harmony between realms.
🔚 Seeing Beyond the Veil
The Vedic vision of ghosts is not
about haunted houses and horror stories. It is a vast, intricate system of
understanding post-death states, subtle sheaths of consciousness, and our
spiritual evolution.
By understanding these truths, we not
only free ourselves from irrational fear but also gain tools to respect the
delicate balance between life, death, and rebirth. Most importantly, we
understand that the spirit world is not distant, it is simply subtler.
Ghosts are not fiction. Nor are they
mere energy. They are echoes of unresolved existence, waiting for either
fulfillment or release, and our ancient texts have always known that.
By Pradeep Mahaur – Pradeep Mahaur Magazine
Insights on Hindu Wisdom and Global Affairs from an Indic perspective.
References & Open Source Links:
1. Taittiriya Upanishad – Anandamaya Kosha
2.
Garuda Purana – Preta and Pitru
Kanda
3.
Atharva
Veda – Hymns against evil spirits
4.
Kathasaritsagara
– Vetala Tales
5. Brahma Purana – Brahma Rakshasa Story
6.
Rudrayamala
Tantra on Dakinis
7.
Contemplating
the suffering of hungry ghosts
8.
Quora- Who is
Dakini? How do you practice dakini?
9.
Durga
Saptsati- Durga kwacha
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