14. Domination by Evil Spirits and Exorcism

As discussed in the earlier chapters, ordinary persons and those following a sinful life style, if overwhelmed with unfulfilled desires, pain or personal attachment at the moment of death are made to live as the species of astral world known to us as ghosts or spirits (Pret Yoni). In this state, the spiritual evolution of the soul virtually becomes static. Instigated by unfulfilled desires, enmity, suppressed resentment etc. such individuals try to unload their burden by trying to make the living persons suffer, harmed or terrorized. Then there are a few, who become ghosts because of their excessive infatuations in worldly life and desire to live in the last environment and with the people they liked. The latter category of ghosts, though do not harm, yet keep on requesting for small favors for fulfillment of their desires. The spirits, having a nonmaterial existence cannot consume material food and liquids like human beings. Yet they are unable to get rid of their sensual pleasures of human life experienced during past cycles of birth and intend to enjoy the same.

We come across persons who though on deathbed, desire to eat various types of delicacies, which they are hardly able to consume. The ghosts are more or less in the same state. They wish to relive the experience of human body but their present ethereal body does not let them do it. Thus the soul inhabiting a tree cannot have the experiences possible for an animal and vice versa. The sense organs of various life forms function differently. Since the soul that is spirit, is not able to fulfill a strong desire, it becomes restless and frustrated and feeling resentful towards people in the neighborhood for not helping it, tries to terrorize.

However, exceptionally, some spirits behave in a different manner. At the moment of death certain individuals become emotionally mature. Particularly, old persons, who leave behind younger children, retain an attitude of patronage, fondles and forgiveness towards the living. They also have very few unsaturated desires at that age. Such benevolent spirits living in a particular house, try to help its inhabitants, warn them about impending disasters (through dreams or clairvoyance) they never harm any friend or relative of earlier life. Human mind naturally finds contentment in helping others achieve that which could not be done for one's own self. The grown-up persons derive pleasure in watching their children play with toys. In the same manner, the benevolent spirits sometimes desires the living persons to be entertained. It relieves them of their misery to certain extent.