For the next 40 to 70 hours after death, the attention of the sanskaras is centered mostly on the place where the body is kept. But after that, there is no connection whatsoever between the dead person and that place. Within the next eight or ten days, the spirit of the dead person experiences the subtle state of either heaven or hell according to his sanskaras, and then takes birth again.
After a person dies, many people perform rites and ceremonies for a long time, but all these are useless. It's a waste of money and energy. No ritual is necessary after ten days.
However, the best rites would be to feed either dogs or crows near the body, because they have subtle sight and can see the spirit of the dead person. Crows and dogs are not subtle-conscious, but they have subtle faculties of perception and draw toward themselves the sanskaras of dead people.
Baba commented at the time that the best method for the disposal of the dead was burial.
On 24 September, the Mahars [Harijans] in Arangaon again caused disturbances. This time they hung pieces of animal flesh opposite the Upasni Serai and Bathroom Building. On inquiry it was learned that some of the Mahar children who had previously stayed in Meherabad, notably a lame boy named Harinath, were secretly causing the trouble. Before taking any action, Baba outlined in a meeting that night the following four alternatives to the men mandali and asked them to choose one:
1 . The rest of the Mahars in Meherabad should be forced to leave.
2 . The three or four ringleaders of the Mahars should be arrested, and court proceedings should be brought against them for trespassing and willful destruction of property.
3 . The two patils [headmen of the village], who are living with the mandali, should be made to leave Meherabad.
4 . We should leave everything to God and remain passive observers with our fingers crossed.
After the discussion, the mandali unanimously approved the fourth course of action. Baba was pleased as he himself favored this choice. But Baba warned them to stick to their decision because it seemed that the illiterate villagers were bent upon teasing and testing the Dev (God), as they referred to him. "They may even go to the extent of throwing pieces of raw meat in our well [thereby polluting it for the Hindus]," Baba observed, "and do other mischief. So be prepared to face and patiently submit to more disturbances, inconveniences, and provocations."