antya karman

 In Sanskrit, antya‑karman means the final rites or funeral rituals performed after a person’s death.

Core Meaning

• Antyakarman (अन्त्यकर्मन्) is defined as “last rites,” “funeral rites,” or “final oblations” in Sanskrit dictionaries and Hindu ritual literature

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• It is a neuter compound noun formed from:
  • antya — “last, final”
  • karman — “act, deed, ritual”

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• Together, the compound literally means “the final act”, referring specifically to the rituals performed for the dead.
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Usage in Hinduism

According to the definitions collected in Wisdom Library:

• It refers to funeral ceremonies, including cremation and associated rites

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• Classical sources such as the Manusmṛti use the term for the ritual duties performed for the deceased (e.g., 11.197, 5.168)

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• It is treated as synonymous with antyakriyā or antasatkriyā, both meaning funeral rites

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Relation to karman

The second element, karman, broadly means “act, action, ritual, or religious rite” in Sanskrit

Wiktionary

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In compounds, it often denotes a specific ritual action, which is exactly how it functions in antya‑karman.

Distinction from Related Terms

• Antyeṣṭi (अन्त्येष्टि) — the well‑known Hindu “last sacrifice,” i.e., cremation rites; a broader ritual category.
• Antyakarman — more specifically the ritual acts within the funeral process.
• Antyakriyā — another near‑synonym meaning “final rites.”

Summary

Antya‑karman is a classical Sanskrit term meaning:

• funeral rites,
• final ritual acts, or
• the last ceremonial duties performed for the deceased.