My beloved mother died in the last week of April and being the eldest son of an orthodox brahmin family I had to perform the last rites which lasted for thirteen days. T

he priest came and gave me a long list of items that are to be purchased and the items included things like gold ring, gold coin, bed sheet, mattress, umbrella, stick, silver vessels, brass vessels, dress for the brahmin priests and to top it all a live cow and Rs.501 to each priest for accepting each item.It is okay if these are used by those who get the items, but what happened was that some of items that were accepted as gifts were sold to persons outside immediately.

I had to spend more than Rs.90000 with in thirteen days.I do not mind spending so much money provided it is necessary.Do our vedas or puranas say that a soul will go to heaven only when so much money is spent and so much gifts are given.If this is not so then this is a clear case of exploiting a person at a time when he should be comforted