Understanding Reincarnation: Insights from Yoga Vasishta

Reincarnation is a concept that has intrigued humans for millions of years. The idea that the soul is eternal and takes on different bodies across lifetimes is a cornerstone of our philosophy. One of the profound discussions on reincarnation comes from the ancient text 'Yoga Vasishta,' where Sage Vasishta explains this concept to Lord Rama. This article simplifies the teachings from this text to provide a clear understanding of reincarnation.

The Eternal Cycle of Creation

According to Sage Vasishta, the world is like an ocean, and every creation, every being, is like a wave on this ocean. Just as waves rise and fall, so too do the cycles of birth and death. This metaphor illustrates that the process of creation is ongoing and infinite. Beings are born, live, and die, only to be reborn again in a new form. This cycle, called 'Samsara,' continues until one achieves liberation.

Similarities and Differences in Rebirth

Sage Vasishta further elaborates that in each cycle of rebirth, some beings are reborn with similar characteristics, while others differ significantly. For instance, some may be reborn into the same family or with the same qualities, maintaining a certain degree of continuity in their rebirths. On the other hand, some beings may take on completely different forms or possess entirely new attributes. This variability depends on the accumulated karma, or actions, of previous lives.

Vasishta explains this further -

'The present birth of Vyasa is the thirty-second. Even among these thirty-two, there are internal differences.Future Vyasas will be similar to or different from the previous ones. 

I have seen Vyasa take birth ten times. I have been united many times with Vyasai and have also been born separately many times. We have taken birth sometimes in similar forms and sometimes in different forms. We will also take birth many times in different forms with or without similar intentions. Sometimes we have taken birth knowingly and sometimes unknowingly. Vyasa will be born eight more times in this world

Not just persons, Treta Yuga  is ongoing now. It has occurred many times before and will occur many times in the future. In these Treta Yugas, you have assumed the form of Rama many times, and you will do so many times in future Treta Yugas. There is no limit to this. I have also assumed the form of Vasishtha many times. I am presently in the form of Vasishtha and will incarnate as Vasishtha many times in the future. Some of these forms will be similar to the previous ones, and some will be different. This can also be said about other ordinary people.

The present Vyasa is known as a liberated being in this era. Vyasa as of now  is free from sorrow, fearless, devoid of all imaginations, calm-minded, and has attained the bliss of liberation, hence called a liberated soul. Sometimes, a liberated soul may appear similar in wealth, relatives, family, state, actions, knowledge, wisdom, and activities, and sometimes not. Sometimes they are born hundreds of times, and sometimes not even once in many kalpas. There is no end to this illusion. Like the grain in a scale repeatedly put in, does not remain in the same order as before but changes, so do beings experience changes - contrary to the arrangement and order of previous lives. The great ocean of time manifests the creation in a form different from the previous arrangement fully, partially or with none at all.

Isn't liberation permanent?

Liberation is not permanent in the context of the Yoga Vasishta. Sage Vasishta describes an eternal cycle of creation, where beings are born and reborn infinitely. While the concept of liberation (Moksha) is described as a state where a soul is free from the cycle of birth and death, but even liberated souls like Vyasa and Vasishta are said to be reborn multiple times. This suggests that the state of liberation, as explained in the Yoga Vasishta, might not be permanent and could be subject to change over different cycles of time.

Even among the liberated beings, there are various degrees - Brahmavid, Brahmavidvara, Brahmavidvariyaan, and Brahmavidvarishtha.

But then, how are the liberated beings superior?

Even if a liberated being takes on various physical forms or bodies, they do not lose their state of liberation. This means that their essential nature of being liberated remains unchanged, regardless of their external circumstances or physical bodies.

In this philosophical framework, everything, including liberation, might be viewed as a temporary state within the vast, ongoing cosmic play. This aligns with the idea that the ultimate reality transcends even the concept of liberation, pointing to a more nuanced understanding where liberation is not the final endpoint but rather a part of a broader, infinite journey of the soul.

Knowledge Bank

What is special about Rameshwaram temple?

Rameswaram temple is a Jyotirlinga installed by Sri Rama and Seetha Devi. There are a number of holy teerthas in Rameshwaram, a dip in which is spiritually purifying. Rituals to propitiate forefathers are also carried out at Rameshwaram.

What is Abhava-yoga?

Abhava-yoga is that state in which one perceives an all illuminating void as the essence of oneself. The mind becomes extinct in this state. For someone in the state of Abhava-yoga, the world will be devoid of any objects. Ref: Kurma-Purana II.11.6, Linga-Purana II.55.14, Shiva-Purana VII.2.37.10.