Significance of Previous incarnation
Previous incarnation, as discussed across various spiritual beliefs, signifies the past lives individuals or divine beings have experienced before their current existence. In Jainism, it relates to Kanakashri's past life as Shridatta and the resulting personal conflicts. Vaishnavism highlights the forms taken by Devaki-nandana and the selective nature of liberation in previous lives. Additionally, Ayurveda emphasizes that current traits stem from actions in past lifetimes, reinforcing the interconnectedness of past and present experiences across these traditions.
Synonyms: Past life, Former existence, Previous existence, Former self, Earlier existence
In Dutch: Vorige incarnatie; In Finnish: Edellinen inkarnaatio; In Spanish: Encarnación anterior; In German: Vorherige Inkarnation
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Previous incarnation'
Previous incarnation in Hinduism encompasses the divine and individual past lives, emphasizing the influence of former existences—whether of deities or individuals—on current roles and experiences, including selective liberation and representations of divine avatars.
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Refers to the past life of the Lord that influences His current ecstatic actions and experiences.[1] (2) The earlier forms or avatars of the Lord through which He manifested in the material world to engage with His devotees.[2]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Refers to the various forms taken by Devaki-nandana, indicating that in prior lives, liberation was given selectively.[3]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) Past instances where a divine being took a physical form in the world.[4]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) The philosophical idea that present circumstances and traits can be attributed to actions performed in past lifetimes.[5]
Jain concept of 'Previous incarnation'
In Jainism, "Previous incarnation" signifies Kanakashri's past life as Shridatta, whose doubts resulted in her current turmoil, highlighting the impact of previous actions on one's present circumstances and relationships.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) Refers to Kanakashri's past life as Shridatta, where her doubt led to her current situation involving separation and conflict.[6]
The concept of Previous incarnation in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Previous incarnation" relates to the belief that individuals carry experiences from past lives, influencing their current challenges and characteristics, as seen in the speaker's explanation of issues like blindness arising from past spiritual actions.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This term is a reference to past lives, referring to the idea of reincarnation, suggesting a deep connection between individuals that transcends the current existence.[7] (2) Every child born into the world brings with it a certain accumulated experience from previous incarnations, which is reflected in the structure of its mind and body.[8] (3) This is the speaker's explanation for problems, such as blindness, which is due to an act on the part of the spirit of the child.[9]