By Dhirasanta dasa
We can experience the changes of the body from infancy to youth and on to middle and old age. But through all the changes of our bodies, we remain the same conscious persons.
As Hindus we believe that the conscious self is the soul and that the soul is the driving force of the body. The general misconception is that we are the body, just like a person wrongly identifies oneself with their car. But the reality is when the car is beyond repair or, is destroyed by unforeseen circumstances, despite any amount of attachment a person may have, one acquires a new vehicle. In the same way when the body becomes too old and diseased the eternal soul will vacate the present body and acquire a new one. This is called Reincarnation or the cycle of birth and death.
The bad news is the body dies. However the good news is we do not. The nature of the atma (soul) is that it's eternal and full of joy. This has been elaborated on by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita where He says, "For the soul there is neither birth nor death, nor having been does he ever cease to be. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain."
Everyone can intuitively understand that they are different from their physical body. When we look at our limbs we say, "This is my hand" or "This is my leg." The self, the "I" is the possessor and observer of the body.
There are many species of life such as plants, fishes, mammals, birds, reptiles and humans. It is a rare opportunity to gain this human body after passing through all these other species. It is not a gift to be squandered. We believe this human life is an opportunity to develop God consciousness and if we do not develop this consciousness we run the risk of returning to the animal and plant kingdoms once more.
If we wish to step backwards it is very easy. Sleep like a bear or eat like a pig and have sex like the pigeons. We reap the fruits of our past life actions and sow the seeds of our future. Therefore pious actions bring fruits of enjoyment, but vice versa, sinful actions bring suffering and sorrow.
So, the big question is "How do we get out of this cycle of birth and death?" This is also explained in the Bhagavad-gita were it is said, Our entanglement in this world is due to the soul exercising its free will and desiring to enjoy independently from God.
We are like fishes out of water and no matter how hard we try to be satisfied by independent means, unless and until we take shelter and fully depend on God, we will not attain liberation from this material world.
In the Bhagavad-gita, it is said, "One can understand the Supreme Personality as He is only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of the Supreme Lord by such devotion, one can enter into the kingdom of God."
So by our practises of bhakti yoga, loving devotional service to Krishna, we hope to achieve this goal and not return to this temporary material world again.
Reincarnation
