Garuda Purana describes death and the soul's journey

The Garuda Purana, a significant text in Hinduism, provides detailed descriptions regarding death, the journey of the soul, and the consequences of one's actions. Through the dialogue between Lord Vishnu and Garuda, the text explains how an individual's karma determines their state in the afterlife, including destinations such as heaven, hell, or the 'preta yoni' (ghost state).

According to the text, as death approaches, the body weakens, senses fail, and breathing becomes difficult. For those who have committed sinful acts, the Garuda Purana describes the arrival of terrifying messengers of Yama (Yamadoots) who carry tools like a noose and a staff. These messengers are said to extract the soul, which is described as being as minute as a thumb, from the physical body.

The 'preta yoni' is described as a transitional state between death and the ancestral state, often resulting from untimely deaths, unfulfilled desires, or intense attachments. The text emphasizes that while religious beliefs dictate these spiritual outcomes, they are matters of faith rather than scientific fact.