Chapter 13 – Four Realms
If we look around us, we see not only men and women, boys and girls, but also cats, dogs, birds, bugs, plants, etc. These are various forms of living beings in this universe. At the same time every second, someone dies and someone is born. Nothing is permanent. This makes us wonder what happens to those who die, and who decides what one will be born as. Jainism explains this in a very simple and sound logical way based on karma theory. Due to the karmas associated with their souls, living beings have been going through the cycle of life and death in various forms since time immemorial. Unless the soul gets rid of its karmas, it will never be free from the cycle of birth, life, and death in different forms. When a living being dies, it can be reborn into one of the four Gatis (destinies). These four destinies are as follows:
- Manushya (Human) beings.
- Dev (Heavenly) beings.
- Tiryancha (Animal, birds, insects, vegetations) beings.
- Näraki (Hell or Infernal) beings.
Present science is inconclusive about life after death or rebirth or reincarnation. But Jinas who had Kevaljnän (omniscience) have explained that there is life after death and it is us, and no one else, who decides what will happen to us after our death. No God or super power decides our future. Our past and current deeds accumulate karmas, which govern what we will be reborn as. Let us discuss these destinies.
Human Beings:
As human beings we have been endowed with the ability to think. We can make out right from wrong. We can decide what is good for us, and what is not. We also have the capacity to control our minds and activities. We can learn about principles of Jainism and practice them by adopting the appropriate vows and restraints. We can also renounce worldly life (Sansär) for monk-hood, which can help lead us to liberation.
Heavenly Beings:
As a heavenly being, one has superior physical capabilities, numerous supernatural powers, and access to all luxuries. But heavenly life is also transient and when it comes to an end, heavenly beings feel very unhappy. They cannot adopt restraints or renounce their lives to become monks or nuns. Therefore, there is no salvation in heavenly life, and such beings will have to be reborn as human beings in order to attain liberation. It may be said that the soul is born as a heavenly being due to relative accumulation of more good karmas (Punya). But at the same time it should be remembered that the soul uses up a number of good karmas there too.
Tiryancha Beings:
As a Tiryancha (being born as an animal like a lion, an elephant, a bird, a plant, a bug, etc.) one is considered to be a lower form of life. Animals, birds, sea creatures and reptiles have minds but the rest of Tiryancha do not. Therefore most Tiryancha suffer passively. Even animals and birds, etc., who have minds cannot think or restrain nearly as much as humans and therefore their progress is compromised. Overall there is a great degree of passive suffering and dependency in their life.
Infernal Beings:
As an infernal being (living beings of hell), one has to continuously suffer. Most of the time, infernal beings fight among themselves and cause more suffering to each other. Such a life is, therefore, absolutely unsuitable for spiritual pursuit.
Conclusion :
Thus, it is clear that out of these four Gatis or destinies only human life is suitable for spiritual pursuit and capable of freedom from the cycle of birth and death. Let us now try to understand what leads a soul to different destinies.
Those who engage in violence, lying, stealing, and excessive sensual pleasure or are too possessive, angry, egoistic, greedy, deceptive, or intensely attached to the worldly life are likely to be re-born as infernal beings in hell.
Those who are selfish, deceptive, cause troubles, or wish evil for the others are likely to be re-born as the Tiryancha.
Those who are simple and disciplined, observe vows, behave well, have a good character, and follow a good moral life are generally re-born as heavenly beings.
Those who are simple, straightforward, observe vows and restraints, have faith in true teachers, attempt to gain true knowledge, have only a slight attachment, have a controlled level of anger, greed, or deception, and try to follow the religious teachers are generally re-born as humans.
In conclusion, we (the souls) are the masters of our own destiny and we should not blame anyone or anything else for our destiny. Let us aspire to lead a spiritual life without delay so that we may be reborn as human beings again and continue to progress on the path of liberation.
