Garuda Purana – Chapter 4: Rebirth and Karma

Rebirth and Karma

In the previous chapter, we learned about the rituals performed after death. We described in detail how Shraddha and Tarpan provide peace to the departed soul. However, death is merely a milestone, a gateway. What happens after that gateway opens? Come, let us now learn about the unbreakable bond of rebirth and karma.

The Unbreakable Principle of Karma

Garuda Dev asked Lord Vishnu, "O Lord, this soul is born again and again, dies, and is born again. How long will this cycle continue? And on what basis is it decided which species it will attain?" The eyes of Garuda Ji reflected curiosity and devotion. The atmosphere was calm, only a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees. Birds chirped sweetly somewhere in the distance, as if they too were eager to hear Lord Vishnu's answer. Lord Vishnu smiled gently, His face illuminated with divine radiance.

"O Garuda, this world is based on the principle of karma," said Lord Vishnu in a grave voice. "As is the action, so is the fruit. This is an immutable truth. The soul attains its next birth according to the karma of its past lives. Good deeds lead it to the divine or human species, while bad deeds push it into animal or even lower species. The fruit of every action is certain - either happiness, or suffering. No one can escape it."

Rebirth in Various Species

Lord Vishnu further explained that the soul wanders in various species according to its karma. The human species is a rare opportunity, in which the soul gets a chance to gain knowledge and move towards liberation. But most humans, engrossed in worldly attachments, lose this opportunity. They perform bad deeds under the influence of vices like greed, anger, attachment, and ego, and are then compelled to take birth in lower species. In the animal species, the soul experiences the fruits of its karma; they atone for the sins of their past lives. Trees and plants are also living beings; they too come into this species according to the fruits of their karma. This is a continuously running cycle, which continues until the soul attains liberation. Lord Vishnu's eyes held compassion for all beings.

"However, those humans who remember the name of the Lord, who perform good deeds with selfless intent, upon them My grace always remains," said Lord Vishnu. "Such virtuous souls attain higher worlds after death and then take birth in superior species. They gradually progress towards liberation. Devotion is the path by which the bondage of karma can be severed."

Experiencing the Fruits of Karma

Garuda Ji asked, "O Lord, does a human experience the fruits of their karma immediately, or do they have to wait until the next birth?" Lord Vishnu replied, "The fruits of some actions are received immediately, while for some, one has to wait until the next birth. This depends on the intensity of the karma and the eligibility of the soul. However, it is certain that no action goes without yielding fruit. God's justice is immutable. The difference between this life and the next life is merely a moment. The soul continuously travels, accumulates experiences, and experiences the fruits of its karma." There was deep peace in Lord Vishnu's voice, which touched the heart of every listener. He further said, "Now, in the next chapter, we will discuss liberation and devotion, for that is the path to freedom from this bondage of karma."