Preta shabdam nasti

Once the 13-day death rituals are done, the priest helps the kartru (the one performing the rituals) bid a final goodbye to the departing relative.

The pinda (rice balls) is cut into three parts, and each is symbolically offered to the just dead soul, his father and grandfather, or, if the dead relative happens to be a woman, to her mother and grandmother.

Finally, the priest says, "Preta shabdam nasti". The dead soul is no longer an unappeased spirit (preta) that could haunt the family; it is released on its onward journey.

So it was for Subru yesterday.