The cycle of birth, life and death

Concept of Samsara

Samsara is the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth as understood in Hindu tradition.
This is an important concept influenced by the law of Karma.
All actions performed by an individual create karma, and consequences of these actions are experienced in the current or future births.
Karma that remains unresolved leads to further births. This endless cycle of birth and death is samsara.

Reincarnation and Karma

Reincarnation, also known as rebirth or transmigration, is a fundamental concept of Hinduism. It is the process by which, upon death, an individual’s soul is reborn into another body and experiences a new life.
The nature of the new life is determined by the nature of the karma produced by the actions of the individual in their previous life.
Good karma may result in a more auspicious rebirth, while negative karma may result in a less favourable birth. The soul carries the accumulated karma through each successive life.
Through this process of reincarnation, the soul experiences life in many different forms and circumstances, continuously learning and evolving.

Moksha: Liberation from Samsara

The ultimate goal of human life according to Hinduism is Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of samsara.
Achieving moksha signifies the realisation of one’s identity with the ultimate reality or Brahman, and liberation from the effects of karma and the cycle of birth and death.
There are many paths to achieving moksha as suggested in Hindu scriptures, such as the path of knowledge (Jnana), devotion (Bhakti), and selfless action (Karma).
Upon achieving moksha, the individual soul merges with the Brahman, akin to a drop of water merging with the ocean, signifying the end of individual existence.

Implications of the Cycle of Birth, Life, and Death

The belief in samsara, karma, and moksha influences multiple aspects of a Hindu individual’s life.
The idea of reincarnation encourages moral and ethical behaviour, since all actions have consequences in this life or the next.
The end goal of moksha provides a spiritual focus for a Hindu’s life and may determine their approach to life, relationships, and worldly affairs.
Understanding of these principles helps cultivate an attitude of detachment towards worldly pleasures and sufferings, as they are viewed as temporary in the larger cycle of existence.