mrtyu

Mrtyu, transliterated as mṛtyu in Sanskrit, is a term meaning death. In classical Indian literature, it denotes both the event of dying and the personified power of death. The word appears across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain texts to discuss mortality, the transition between life courses, and the broader framework of samsara, the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the Sanskrit root mṛ- meaning “to die,” with the nominalizing suffix -tyu, yielding “death” or “the state of dying.” The masculine noun appears in various compounds, such as mṛtyuloka, meaning the realm of death, and in phrases describing mortality and the afterlife.

Religious and philosophical context: In Hindu thought, mṛtyu serves as both a natural aspect of existence and a figure encountered in myth and ritual. The god Yama is the ruler of death, while mṛtyu can function as a personified force within literature and devotional practice. Many schools treat death as a threshold rather than an absolute end, with mokṣa (liberation) representing release from the samsara cycle governed by karma and dharma.

Ritual and cultural significance: Death rituals in Indian traditions—such as cremation, mourning periods, and rites for the deceased—reflect beliefs about the soul’s continued journey and the importance of proper conduct and prayers to aid the departed. In this way, mṛtyu informs both ethical life and ritual practice, underscoring the transient nature of earthly existence. See also concepts such as samsara, karma, and mokṣa.