Rebirth and Karmavada - 1

- The word Samsara in the Hindu lexicon is very significant. We are all familiar with this word, yet we hardly know what it exactly means. We use the word loosely to mean either the world or wordly life. It is derived from the sanskrit root "Sri" which means passing and its prefix "Sam" means intensely. Now, our shastras teach us that we have to pass repeatedly through this world and other finer and higher worlds. This repeated passing of souls (Samsriti) is what is really meant by the word "Samsara".

- The whole of Hinduism takes its stand on this idea of Samsara. And it gives a clue to the entire Hindu view of life. Why do we offer oblations to our departed relatives? Because, we believe that they are still living either in any of the finer worlds or on this earth in some other bodies. Why does a Hindu woman take a vow of widowhood after the demise of her husband? Because, she hopes to meet her husband after her death, only if she can remain faithful to him. The Hindus perform meritorious deeds (Punya), for these, they believe, will bring them intense enjoyment after death. They try to shun heinous deeds (Papa) lest they should have intense sufferings after death. These and many other beliefs and rites are derived from the Hindu idea of rebirth. And this idea is no fiction. It rests on facts realised by the Hindu seers.

- So, this idea of rebirth is a very important thing in the Hindu view of life. We should therefore try to have a very clear grasp of this, before we proceed any further in our study of Hinduism.

- We shall not cease to exist after death. Before this birth all of us have passed through innumerable lives. In the Gita, Bhagavan Sri Krishna says to Arjuna, " Arjuna, both you and I have had many births before this, (only) I know them all, while you do not". He again says, "Birth is inevitably followed by death and death by rebirth". Indeed, one is born in this world again and again till the divinity within us is completely manifested. Each time one is born with a new body, which lasts for a while and then wears off and drops dead. But that which resides within the body remains as fresh as ever. It simply moves out of the decayed and useless body and remains for a time in the finer worlds. After that it comes to this world and gets a fresh body. The finer worlds are meant for intense enjoyment or suffering. That's why they are called "Bhogabhoomi" (Land of experience). It is this world where everyone has to come to work out his perfection. This world, therefore called "Karmabhoomi" (Land of action). So long as one does not attain perfection, one is bound to go through repeated births. Till then, one is in a state of bondage (Baddha). The necessity of passing over and over through the worlds (Samsara) is itself the bondage.

- At each birth, we get a fresh body. This body is made of matter and is called "Sthula Sareera" (Gross Body). It is built out of materials taken as food and is therefore also called "Annamaya Kosha" (Covering made of food). This gross body is our outermost cover. One lives in this body just as one lives in a house. When the house collapses, one gets out of it and builds another house to live in. So also when this gross body becomes useless, one leaves it and builds a fresh body. In Gita, this body has been compared to a piece of cloth. When the cloth wears out, one rejects it and gets a fresh one for use, so also when the body becomes useless, one passes out of it and reappears in a fresh body. This giving up of a decayed and useless body is what we call death, and reappearance in a fresh body is called rebirth. Thus, by death and rebirth, we simply change worn out bodies for fresh ones. Everyone of us has done this times without number. Those who know this truth have nothing to fear or grieve for.

- Inside this gross body, we have yet another finer and stronger body in which we live. This is called "Sukshma Sareera"(the fine body). Neither disease, nor old age nor death can touch this fine body. Nothing in nature can destroy it. Through our countless births in the past our fine bodies have been our constant companions.

- The fine body consists of seventeen parts, namely Buddhi (intellect), Manas (mind), five pranas (vital energy) and the finer counterparts of ten sense organs. It is this fine body that builds up the gross one and keeps it going. Through it, we feel, think and desire. Indeed, this fine body is the active part of our being.

- Yet the fine body is not active by itself. It is as inert as the gross body, though the later is animated and made to work by it. It (fine body) is itself animated and made to work by something else. This something is the true SELF of man. This is his Atman (Soul).

- This Atman is the source of all life, activity and consciousness (Chaitanya). Warmed up into life by its touch, the fine body animates the gross one, just as the moon illumined by the sun, lights up the earth.

- Thus, animated by the Atman, the fine body works the grosser one as long as it can and then leaves it and builds up a fresh body. In this way we proceed from birth to birth.