God and reincarnation in Hinduism

[Guest guest]

As a westerner who is beginning a study of Hinduism I have a few questions and would appreciate any insight. The form of Hinduism I find attractive is the one that stresses a "God" and which posits that all humans, at the least, possess a part of this "divinity". My questions are as follows: 1. To what degree do we "co-operate" with "God" in choosing our next incarnation?. As a westerner coming from the Christian tradition of a "personalized" God who actively interacts with the world, I'm having difficulty understanding whether Karma earned just propels us into our next incarnation, or, in the period between incarnations, we engage in a sort of "celestial university" with our "advisor" (God)and actively, intelligently "map"out the broad outlines of our next incarnation with the goal of willfully entering into the particulars of that incarnation in order to learn particular spiritual lessons. So, is it random Karma or a personal God working with us to organize our next incarnation? My second question is: Does Hinduism recognize any efficacy concerning prayer, not meditation, and what I mean is does Hinduism believe that God engages with us in the course of our earthly existence in response to prayer, or does he remain "detached" and allow the outlines of Karma to interact with our free-will choices? Thanks in advance to any who try to help.

[Guest guest]

you try

 

www.near-death.com

 

Sorry I don't have time and energy to answer ur questions...my brain is not working much these days because of depression.good luck!

[Guest guest]

i think some problem in link.

 

type near-death.com in ur browser.

[leyh 0]

Dear Guest:

 

I hope you are well.The doctrine of reincarnation as found in Hinduism is very scientifically and concisely explained in Bhagavad-gita which was spoken by Lord Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead as revealed by the Vedic literatures, to His disciple Arjuna more then 5,000 years ago on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra in India.The Bhagavad-gita is the most popular scripture of India's spiritual tradition and it's entire contents with translations and comemntaries by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktievdanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) who is the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness can be found online at www.asitis.com

 

Actually the word "Hinduism" is a misnomer, as explained by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktievdanta Swami Prabhupada (known affectionately to his followers as "Srila Prabhupada")

 

'Sometimes Indians both inside and outside of India think that we are preaching the Hindu religion, but actually we are not. One will not find the word "Hindu" in the Bhagavad-gita. Indeed, there is no such word as Hindu in the entire Vedic literature. This word has been introduced by the Muslims from provinces next to India, such as Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and Persia. There is a river called Sindhu bordering the north western provinces of India, and since the Muslims there could not pronounce Sindhu properly, they instead called the river Hindu, and the inhabitants of this tract of land they called Hindus. In India, according to the Vedic language, the Europeans are called mlecchas or yavanas. Similarly, Hindu is a name given by the Muslims.' (Science of Self Realization by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktievdanta Swami Prabhupada:Krishna Consciousness--Hindu Cult or Divine Culture?, Chapter 3)

 

Here are my humble attempts to answer some of your questions based on my understanding of the principles of Bhagavad-gita:

 

To what degree do we "co-operate" with "God" in choosing our next incarnation?.

 

All living entities are endowed with minute independence, and God does not intefere with this independence. We may utilize it to engage in loving devotional service to God, or we may use it to enjoy seperately from Him. If we choose the latter option, we will continue to incarnate in this material world and be chained to gross, material bodies to suffer, but if we dovetail our independence to surrender to the Supreme Person then we will no longer take birth in this material world and go back home, back to Godhead.

 

"So, is it random Karma or a personal God working with us to organize our next incarnation?"

 

Karma is not random and neither is God. It is precise. Our next incarnation is simply organized by how we have led our lives in this incarnation. If we have led a life based on surrender to God, at the end of this life, we will return to Him, without a doubt. In Bhagavad-gita, Krsna says:

 

janma karma ca me divyam

evam yo vetti tattvatah

tyaktva deham punar janma

naiti mam eti so 'rjuna

 

"One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna." (Bhagavad-gita 4.9)

 

Does Hinduism recognize any efficacy concerning prayer, not meditation, and what I mean is does Hinduism believe that God engages with us in the course of our earthly existence in response to prayer, or does he remain "detached" and allow the outlines of Karma to interact with our free-will choices?

 

In Bhagavad-gita 9.29, Krsna informs Arjuna that:"I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him." In the above mentioned way, God is "detached". He is equally accessible for all, but for those who actually approach to render service to Him, He takes charge of their karma.

 

'Actually, Krsna will change destiny--but only for His devotee. He says, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami: "I shall give you all protection from all reactions of sinful activities." (Bhagavad-gita 18.66)

For instance, if one is condemned by the law court to be hanged, no one can check it. Even the same judge who has given this verdict cannot check it. But if the defendant begs for the mercy of the king, who is above all the laws, then the king can check it.' (Science of Self Realization by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktievdanta Swami Prabhupada:Krishna Consciousness -- Human Society or Animal Society?, Chapter 6)

 

So the Supreme Person is equally accessible to all. If we wish not to utilize His help, He respects our wishes and does not intefere with our independence, but at the same time He also wants us to go back home, back to Godhead. So while we are rotting in this material world, He will perodically appear personally or He mights end His representatives to persuade us that it is in our best interest to surrender to Him, for our actual position is that we are meant to serve Him. And for those who accept this advice and actually try to surrender, the Lord will provide the means by which we can gradually return to Him.It is a two way process. The Lord and His representatives extends their mercy to us, and we reach out to accept the mercy and its effects on our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

 

hi, no you do not stop at a way station between lives.

 

your destiny is planned for you according to your need .

 

prayer is a form of meditation, it focuses the mind on the transcendent for a while.

Although the asking for things in prayer is not advised,

do you think you know better then god what should be done ?

this is the attitude that is needed,do your best to become a better person according to the path laid down by Sri Krishna, the asking of things from God is like a person in a movie audience with no knowledge of movie making, staning up and giving advice to the director of the movie

while the movie is running, it is a waste of time .

[gHari 0]

Our next life is based directly on the desires (karma) we have at the time of death. God kindly gives us a life in which we can best satisfy these desires.

 

We are all chewing the chewed; in that we have all been princes and Kings, paupers and villains many many times. Yet still we go round and round trying to enjoy again and again in a situation that can never truly satisfy our soul, our eternal true self.

 

If we can extract ourselves from this worldly 'enjoyment' and drama, we can address our relationship with God and at the time of death having only those desires that can be satisfied with God in the Kingdom of God, our karma necessarily takes us there. Engage the temporary body in the eternal pastimes of the soul. This is the secret.

[gHari 0]

Prayer is formally part of Indian spiritual practice as specified in the following link from the Indian classic Srimad Bhagavatam Chapter 7.5 verses 23 and 24. Although it will be lengthly I have also included the original Sanskrit language of consciousness and Bengali versions of these pearls which describe all nine major processes of spiritual advancement, since they may well reawaken your spiritual quest from previous lifetimes. If time is a factor, I have bold highlighted the sections dealing strictly with prayer (vandanam). If you can read it all, then your riches are increased all the more, for indeed He appreciates your interest.

 

Prayer as described in the Srimad Bhagavatam 7.5.23-24

[Guest guest]

We the mortals, engage in three different types of Karmic actions, 1) Kriyamana Karma: the fruit of this action is available immediately for us, example, to drink water after we feel thirsty (karma), the fruit of this action is, quenching of the thirst. 2) Sanchit Karma: the fruit of the action here comes after certain interval of time. example, writing an exam. today but getting the results a few months later etc. There are many such Sanchit Karmic reactions are such that, to get the fruit of the action requires an appropriate time, which may or may not be possible in this birth, thus, necessitating rebirth for us. 3) The accumulated Sanchit Karma forces us to take a suitable body in order to enjoy the this Karma which is now known as Prarabdha Karma. The health, body, beauty, intelligence, relatives, money everything comes as a result of Prarabdha Karma, including our life span. Since, this Karma is done only by us, none, not even God can interfere in this Prarabdha Karma, as it is our own doing. Our spiritual master (Sadguru) also cannot help in reducing the Karmic effect, but he/she can make our suffering little less by way of providing comfort and other help so that we can experience our Karmic reactions without breaking down. I personally feel, theory of Karma is a real answer to the problems in our lives.

 

[Guest guest]

Incidentally,I forgot to mention an excellent book on Theory of Karma by the same name by one famous Hirabhai Thakkar. One can also go to the site, http://www.sindhi.net/tok/theory_of_karma.html

for the same.The aspect of reincarnation is dealt in this book based on the Theory of Karma.

[AncientMariner 0]

 

When you die do you go directly to the next body or is there a period of time where you are not embodied? I thought I read somewhere in Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam that if you don't reach the spiritual platform in the Kali-yuga that you will remain unmanifested (essentially in a deep sleep) until the next Kali-yuga.

[Jahnava Nitai Das 2]

The unmanifested state you are referring to is known as nirodha, or the winding up of material existence. It doesn't occur at the end of the Kali yuga, but rather at the end of the universe's life. At that time everything is disolved within the body of Maha Vishnu and the souls remain dormant within Him till the next creation. Like you said, the living entities are in a state of deep sleep during this period.

 

[AncientMariner 0]

 

 

 

I see. Thank You for clarifying that.

[Guest guest]

 

 

When this universe dies are there still other physical universes that are alive and active?

[Guest guest]

 

One thing to keep in mind,the english word "universe",

that is used to translate the vedic conception,

doesn't have the same meaning as the common use of universe today.

 

The common meaning of universe, is the totality of existence, while some physicists speculate about other universes existing in different dimensions, this is different then the meaning of the term when used in the vedic conception.

 

The sanskrit word for universe when describing the various

universes emanating from Vishnu, probably refer to galaxies,

galaxies are in fact born and die, each with a Power source that creates and maintains them .

 

See http://www.electric-cosmos.org/

 

[Guest guest]

pl. look in the website www.hirabhaithakkar.net

this has detailed published book... and many answers to otehr questions

[Guest guest]

pl. refer his site www.hirabhaithakkar.net

[Guest guest]

This is beutiful !!!! good thought and good idea..My father also wrote the same in his book "Theory of Karma"

[Guest guest]

Only re-incarnation theory answers all questions about god.Without re-incarnation we will have problems in interpreting god.For example

 

1)Without re-incarnation how do you justify sinners living happily and devotees living in poverty?

 

2)Why is a child born lame?

 

3)Why do many are born in poverty and others in opulence?Why this unfair advantage?

 

4)How does a sinner reach salvation then?

 

The higher the sins you commit,the longer it takes you to get salvation.But god cannot refuse salvation to you.It will be delayed.BUt god gets glory only if he gives salvation to the worst of sinners.What glory is there for god,if only the enlightened gets salvation?

 

There is an interesting case in madurai.There was a man called dharukkan.He committed the worst atrocity anyone can comit in his life.That is incest.He was chased by the entire town with sticks and weapons.He being an atheist ran into meenakshi temple for the first time in life and fell inside the holy pool crying "meenkashi sundara, save me"(it was his friend's name)But that being gods name,shiva granted him salvation.He became a great saint then.

 

worst of sinners,worst of sins are forgiven in hindu dharma.But the more you sin,the longer it takes.Do you choose your birth?Yes.

 

when you die you dont get birth immediatly.You go to swarga or hell,stay for some time and are born again.You can have a road map then.There are cases like that.Two dwarabalars of vishnu, jayan and vijayan sinned.God cursed them to be born in earth.They asked for forgiveness.God gave them two options.Either 7 births as staunchest devotees or 2 births as worst thugs.They chose the later since they can reach vishnu quickly and were born as hiranya,hiranyatcha once and ravana,kumbakarna in next.

 

God has given such options to all.Many alwars have sung to god saying "Give me as many births as you want,but let me not forget you in those births".Thirugnana sambandha goes even one step further.He says(translation)to shiva

 

"If i can see you like this always, i dont want salvation or anything.I want to be born again and again to see you(nataraja of thiruvarur) again and again"

 

There are many people who refused to go with god.Anjaneya is one.When lord narayana called him to vaikunda, anjaneya replied that he did not want to come to a place where ram's name wasnt chanted.He wanted to stay in earth where ram naam was chanted.

 

So you do get a road map for your next births.But for that you should have done immense good deeds.Not all get that chance.Only high devotees and people who did immense good deeds get that chance.

 

God does intervene with karma.He isnt a mere spectator.But he doesnt grant immediate salvation.He changes your direction.That is if you are a sinner, he reforms you as a devotee.Then slowly you climb up the ladder.Only for great devotees(like markandeya) he breaks all rules and lifts you up instantly.

 

Salvation is guaranteed for everybody in hinduism,irrespective of whatever you do.But it will take a long time,thousands of births to some,who keep on sinning.

[Guest guest]

and assess what your next life will be.

 

Even in the Mahabharata it says there is heaven and hell, but it is only temporary, before you reincarnate. Santanu reincarnated when he fell in love with Ganga, when he was in heaven. He was listening to Brahma's lecture on creation but was bored.

[Guest guest]

The hyperlink is changed. So update your records.

 

It is www.hirabhaithakkar.net

 

Regards

 

Laxmi Mittal

[Guest guest]

The book "Theory of Karma" written by Pujya Shri Hirabhai Thakkar is indeed fantastic book. The way in which he has explained the theory is marvelous.

 

There are so many anotations on the Theory of Karma. But this book has clarified all concepts.

 

His another book on Vedant viz. Vedant Vichar. It's composition of lectures delivered by him at Reliance Industries Ltd. at Ahmedabad.

 

Moreover, the person those who wants to study Bhagwat Gita "Shlok by Shlok" must read his 3 volumes. It's combination of all anotation on Bhagwat Gita so far.

 

His Lectures on "Glory of Death" in gujarati in his own speech is fantastic.

 

I personally very much impressed by his lectures and books. From his literature I find him a man without hypocracy in this philosophical world.

 

Laxmi Mittal

[Guest guest]

Where do you get these books in English?

[Guest guest]

Where do you get these books in English?

[Guest guest]

dear guest, thankyou for researching before judging!

 

"The form of Hinduism I find attractive is the one that stresses a "God" and which posits that all humans, at the least, possess a part of this "divinity""

 

God for the HIndu is Brahman. to compare it to Christianity would be to say God is specifically the father, although not limited to a classification. the divinity of the soul is expressively manifest by the 'holy spirit'.

 

"1. To what degree do we "co-operate" with "God" in choosing our next incarnation?"

 

i would firstly stress that the first requirement is faith. doctrine and words have no place in your relationship with God. your relationship with Gos is one of purity, of truth, of sincerety and for perfection of the goal. follow gods path. dont be concerned with philosophy. having said that, one must ironically read the gita in order to achieve understanding of the goal. i would say a person should read it, understand it, then set it aside and focus your faith. the gita is a guide for faith. it is not the words you should follow. follow the message. to answer your question direct, your incarnation is not your choice. despite what hindu's might commonly beleieve, you cannot gain your own salvation. to try, is blasphemy, and it is not pure. a person on the path to god does not concern themselves with the rewards. their goal is to believe, and to feel, experience God. If you cant do it this life, you're given another chance to get closer based on merit earned.

 

in regards to mapping out your path, you must know the soul is divine. the atman, is essentially a minute portion of brahman. when you leave the body, your is not held by the sway of bodily corruption or ego. you are pure inside. when your body dies, your soul however is bound by your karma. if you have spent your life in achieving godhood, you are no longer bound by the laws of karma. that concept of divinity of the soul in which one taps into during meditation is the basis of understanding the commonly misinterpreted saying: tat tvam asi, that that art. i am brahman.

 

you mentioned christianity has the personalised concept of God. while i agree that the churches emphasise a personalised concept, God is what you make Him. What is God to you? You cannot be told what God is by a church. The church can define God, but your ideal and understanding of God is your own. you will find if you search under the knowledge imparted by the church, God is not an entity who entirely cares and has a personal relationship with us. and yet the churches teach it. God is what you make it. your relationship with God is personal, when by meditation, you encounter atman. Brahman. your inner witness. Your Self.

 

" Does Hinduism recognize any efficacy concerning prayer, not meditation, and what I mean is does Hinduism believe that God engages with us in the course of our earthly existence in response to prayer, or does he remain "detached" and allow the outlines of Karma to interact with our free-will choices? Thanks in advance to any who try to help."

 

As with my analogy above, the churches emphasis a personalised relationship. when you think about it, what is prayer? it is a dulled down form of meditation. when you pray, you are not praying to external sources. you THINK you are, but the laws of psychology tell you that when you submit your prayer, it has an INNER effect. your prayer goes directly to your soul. your soul is the window to the 'holy spirit'. your soul is atman, brahman. so yes, hinduism does incorporate prayer through meditation, and if one choose to simplify the process and simply pray, you are free to do it. this is what krishna calls bhakti yoga.

 

all the best, if you have questions, im at:

awaywithwords82@hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

{"Does Hinduism recognize any efficacy concerning prayer, not meditation..."}

 

There is the practice of Japa-mala, which is like the rosery amongst Catholics. Even though it is used in meditation it can also be used during prayer and is used by many Hindus on the path of Bhakti-yoga (devotional path) where they believe in a personal God, who gives blessing and answers prayers. Apparently there are texts which explain the reason, benefits and usage of japa-mala, though I'm not familiar with them. There have been bhaktas who have had visions of their personal God through intense prayer and not meditation.