antyeṣṭhi

 In Sanskrit, antyeṣṭi means the “last sacrifice”—the final rite or funeral ceremony performed after a person’s death.

Core Sanskrit Meaning

• Antyeṣṭi (अन्त्येष्टि) is a compound of antya (“last”) and iṣṭi (“sacrifice, offering, auspicious rite”)

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• Literally, it means “last sacrifice” or “final auspicious ceremony”

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Meaning in Hindu Tradition

Across Hindu scriptures and ritual texts, antyeṣṭi refers to the funeral rites performed after death:

• It is the final saṃskāra (life‑cycle sacrament) in the traditional sequence of rites

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• It usually involves cremation, understood as a ritual offering of the body to Agni (fire)

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• The ceremony marks the transition of the soul and the return of the body to the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, space)

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Usage in Sanskrit Lexicons

Sanskrit dictionaries define antyeṣṭi simply as:

• “A funeral sacrifice” or “funeral rites”

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• Synonym: antyāhuti

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Meaning in Modern Indian Languages

The same meaning carries into many Indian languages:

• Hindi: last/funeral rites

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• Marathi: funeral solemnities

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• Kannada: obsequies

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• Nepali: funeral ceremony

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Summary

In Sanskrit, antyeṣṭi fundamentally means the final sacrificial rite performed after death. It is both a linguistic term (“last sacrifice”) and a major religious concept in Hindu ritual life.