Why does reincarnation occur, and why is the concept of reincarnation recognized in Hindu scriptures?
The Concept of Reincarnation in Hindu Philosophy
According to spiritual belief, the human body is mortal, but the soul that resides within it is eternal. Every living being receives the fruits of its actions (karma). If a person performs virtuous deeds during their lifetime, they are rewarded with a higher form of existence—such as birth as a tree, animal, bird, or human—and may even attain heaven. Conversely, those who commit sinful acts are reborn into lower forms of life, such as insects or lesser creatures, and may experience hell. Thus, until a soul is freed from the burden of past sins, it must continue to take birth again and again. Liberation (moksha) is achieved only when the soul is completely free of sin, at which point it merges with the Supreme Being.
Teachings from Ancient Texts
- Vyasa in the Mahabharata wrote that those who perform good deeds may attain divine existence, while those whose actions are a mix of virtue and sin are reborn as humans.
- Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras explained that reincarnation is the result of past actions. If one’s deeds are virtuous, they are reborn into a noble lineage, with long life and favorable circumstances. At death, knowledge and karma accompany the soul, shaping its next birth and the tendencies expressed in the new life.
- The Katha Upanishad also states that reincarnation is based on knowledge and karma. Each soul receives a specific form of existence according to its deeds and understanding.
- The Yoga Vashistha emphasizes that no effort is ever wasted; every action inevitably bears fruit, whether in this life or the next.
Dialogue with Manu
When Shatarupa once asked King Manu why humans wander through so many forms of existence, he explained that different types of sins lead to different rebirths. Physical sins result in birth into inert forms, sins of speech lead to animal or bird existence, and mental faults can expel a soul from human birth altogether. Thus, sinful actions in this or previous lives distort one’s natural state.
Desire and Rebirth
Humans often carry unfulfilled desires and passions. These lingering attachments become a cause for rebirth. Even if one avoids sinful deeds, unresolved desires prevent liberation. Sage Vasistha compared this to a bird flying from one tree to another in search of fruit: the soul, bound by countless desires, moves from one body to another after death.
The Bhagavad Gita
Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that whatever state of mind a person remembers at the time of death determines their next existence. The soul, absorbed in that thought, carries it into the next life.
Examples of Rebirth
After King Pradyumna passed away, his family wished to know his new form of existence. The sage Kauts, an expert in the science of reincarnation, revealed that Pradyumna had been reborn as a wood-boring insect. When summoned, Pradyumna appeared with his new family and told his relatives not to disturb him, as he was content in his current life. Sage Kauts reminded them that worldly relationships exist only as long as the body endures; once the body perishes, all attachments dissolve.
Modern Perspective
Parapsychologist Dr. Raina Ruth described reincarnation as a transformation of matter and energy. She noted that energy never disappears—it only changes form. Even after death, genetic impressions (DNA traits) remain in an invisible state and reappear in new births within the family line. In this way, virtues and flaws are inherited by future generations, meaning that past-life impressions manifest in reincarnation.
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