Garun Puran: Whoever is born on this earth is certain to die. It is often seen that after death, cotton is applied to the nose, ears and sometimes even the mouth of the deceased before the last rites. Many of us consider it to be just an old tradition or superstition, but there are actually some important scientific, medical and practical reasons behind this procedure.
Many types of changes are seen in the body after death. If seen on scientific basis, many types of biological changes begin in the human body within a few hours of death. As soon as breathing stops, many types of gases like methane and hydrogen sulphide start forming from the substances present in the digestive system of the body. Emission of these gases can be harmful to the body and the surrounding environment.
According to Bhavesh Mali, junior researcher at the Department of Forensic Science, Himachal Pradesh University (Shimla), after death, the muscles inside the body relax and some fluids are produced. This foul-smelling fluid can come out of the nose or mouth, due to which bacteria spread very rapidly and swelling starts in the body.
Leakage of gases and fluids from the body stops. Outside air is not able to enter through the nose and ears, due to which the body does not swell. Prevents the spread of foul smell and provides protection from flies, insects or other infections that settle on the dead body. This method is adopted in funeral preparations not only in India but all over the world.
Apart from scientific reasons, it also has a specific religious significance in Hinduism. According to Garuda Purana and other religious texts, after death all the open doors of the body close. In ancient times, there was a tradition of keeping gold particles at these places, but now cotton or basil leaves are kept in its place. The belief behind keeping basil leaves is that it purifies microscopic gases and helps in keeping the surrounding environment pure.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.
