In the natural order of the world, all who are born must eventually die. This universal law applies not only to humans but to all living beings. The cycle of birth and death continues until one attains self-realization. Just as a drop of water eventually finds its way to the ocean, after many lifetimes, we too are meant to reach our true spiritual abode. This article explores how this journey unfolds.
According to Vedanta philosophy, the soul (Atman) is eternal and does not experience birth or death. However, layers of karma (three types of accumulated impressions), vasanas (tendencies or desires), and ajnana (ignorance) create various experiences in life. We are said to possess three types of bodies:
1. Sthula Sharira (Gross Body): This is the physical body, experienced in the waking state and connected to the material world.
2. Sukshma Sharira (Subtle Body): Experienced in the dream state, this body interacts through the mind without physical connection.
3. Karana Sharira (Causal Body): Associated with deep sleep, this body holds all latent impressions and karma but lacks direct experience.
The gross and subtle bodies allow us to experience karma accumulated from past lives, including the effects of good and bad deeds, pleasure and pain, and honor and dishonor. They also facilitate the accumulation and release of karma through three types:
• Prarabdha Karma: Fixed karma from past lives that we must experience in this life.
• Sanchita Karma: Stored karma from previous lives that can be experienced in the current or future lives.
• Agami Karma: New karma generated in this life.
At birth, we are bound by prarabdha karma, which dictates certain unavoidable events and ultimately our death. This karma cannot be altered and must be experienced. However, sanchita and agami karma can be transformed or eliminated through spiritual practices. Even great yogis face challenges due to prarabdha karma, but with wisdom and discipline, they can burn away sanchita and agami karma, reaching the ultimate state of liberation.
What Happens After Death?
Death is the separation of the gross and subtle bodies from the soul. The causal body, containing the atman, latent impressions, and remaining karma, transitions through three stages before a new birth:
1. Vasu Rupa: In this stage, the purpose of life and accumulated karma are evaluated.
2. Rudra Rupa: Here, the possibility of rebirth is assessed based on stored karma.
3. Aditya Rupa: Based on karma, the causal body is directed to a new form where it can continue to experience stored karma.
If all karma has been resolved, the causal body dissolves, and the soul attains liberation, merging with the Supreme.
In traditional systems, death ceremonies serve two purposes: to release the departed soul from any debts and to support its journey toward liberation from the causal body. These rituals aim to help the soul shed its accumulated karma or, if rebirth is necessary, guide it toward a form where liberation may be easier to attain.
The Spiritual Path to Liberation
Spiritual practices are designed to free one from these three types of karma, ultimately liberating the soul from all three bodies. However, this path requires dedication. Just as one must pursue education over many years to achieve a respectable career, attaining liberation from the cycle of birth and death demands intense spiritual commitment.
I recall a teaching from my guru, who said, “If you have received a human birth, it may be because of past good karma, but don’t stop striving to do great deeds. Life is uncertain; focus on spiritual practice as much as possible. This may help you reduce your karma or, at the very least, grant you a birth that provides even more support for eliminating karma and escaping the cycle of birth and death.”
By- Dr. Vigneshwar Bhat
