Theory of Transmigration of Souls

The theory of transmigration of souls emphasizes the continuity of the soul. Worldly existence is a stage of transition from past existence towards future lives. Life is a continuous process. Birth and death are simply landmarks. When a birth or death takes place there is merely a shift in the man`s position. The soul discards damaged physical bodies and assumes new forms. This belief is the base of Hindu social and metaphysical thought.

This theory has had an important effect which is the belief in the immortality of the soul. The soul is the Jiva or Atma and is considered to be a part of God. The soul is immortal and eternal. Jiva is the instrument for animation and devoid of it. Death does not affect the jiva. It is believed that each individual soul has to go through a large number of worldly incarnations. According to the Indian Puranas, it is rare for a jiva to be born into a human body. Reincarnation occurs when the soul, comes back to life in a new body after the death of a body.

Transmigration of souls is called metempsychosis is based on the theory that a soul may pass out of one body and reside in another. This theory is most spoken of in Hinduism and was developed in the Upanishads. Souls are regarded as a release of the divine spirit. The theory of transmigration of souls has been closely interwoven with the concept of Karma. This cycle of karma and transmigration of souls may extend through innumerable lives. The ultimate goal is the re absorption of the soul into the ocean of divinity. Transmigration of soul occurs when it reaches the perfect state of the almighty. The soul goes through several lives for attaining perfection.

Origin of theory of Transmigration of Souls is said to have been born in India around 650 B.C. From here it is believed to have migrated to other parts of the world. The first reference to transmigration occurs in the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad which is believed to be the oldest and the longest of the Upanishads. It was associated with the sage Yajnavalkya. In the Upanishad there is a passage that reveal about the doctrine of Karma. It has also been advocated that whoever does good is a good soul and whoever indulges in bad deeds is a bad soul. Therefore it can be conceived that this theory was proposed by Yajnavalkya who initially divulged it only to chosen disciples and made it public later.

Another key text that proves the origin of the doctrine of transmigration is in a later portion of the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad. It is also repeated in the second-oldest of the Upanishads, the Chandogya Upanishad which has been proposed by another famous sage, Uddalaka Aruni.

The souls of those who understand this mystery as well as revere faith as truth merge in the flame of the pyre. They reach the sun after some complications and then in the flashes of lightning they are led to the world of Brahman. The souls of the moral dead who are unaware of the mystery as well as perform sacrifice, almsgiving and penance, go through similar process and find their way to heaven. This brief statement in the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad is expanded and clarified in the Chandogya Upanishad.

It has been said that who have pleased the Gods were reborn as one of the three higher castes. Those whose conduct evil and are reborn as an outcaste. This same theory is seen in the beginning of the early Kausitaki Upanishad. Here however there are some differences. The soul need to undergo many tests and ordeals till it reaches the throne of Lord Brahma. Finally the soul is identified with Brahma and is never reborn.

These accounts of the doctrine of transmigration suggest that it began in a secretive manner. It was not widespread among the masses before it was taken up by the higher classes. It can be ascertained that this theory arose out of floating ideas. Transmigration is a fact of life. In other religious text following these Upanishads the passages suggests that this doctrine was taught by the Brahmans and passed down to the lower orders. The ascetics to some extent are responsible for spreading this theory.