Reincarnation, the journey of the soul through successive lifetimes, is a concept deeply ingrained in many cultures and spiritual traditions. It not only highlights the eternality of the soul but also provides profound insights into human experiences and the mysterious interplay of karma. Episodes of individuals recalling past lives have fascinated people worldwide, serving as compelling evidence for this timeless truth. Among these, two extraordinary stories stand out—one from modern history and another from the ancient epic, Mahabharata.
Anne Frank and Barbro Karlen: A Modern Tale of Rebirth
Anne Frank is a name synonymous with the horrors of the Holocaust. She lived a short but impactful life, hiding with her family in the attic of their shop in Amsterdam during World War II. Between 1942 and 1944, Anne documented her thoughts, emotions, and observations in a diary that would later become one of the most widely read books in history, The Diary of a Young Girl. This diary, a poignant reflection of a young mind grappling with the prejudice and hatred of her time, has been translated into over 70 languages and immortalized her as a writer posthumously.
Anne Frank's tragic life ended in 1945 when she and her family were captured and sent to concentration camps, where she died at the age of 15. Remarkably, less than a decade later, a girl named Barbro Karlen was born in Sweden in 1954, exhibiting uncanny memories and traits that linked her to Anne Frank.
From a tender age, Barbro astounded her parents by claiming she was not their daughter but Anne Frank. She would recount vivid dreams of uniformed soldiers storming up a staircase, a memory inexplicable to her family. Additionally, Barbro displayed an intense fear of policemen—a fear so profound that, as an adult, she joined the Swedish mounted police to confront it. Interestingly, she also detested beans, a food that Anne Frank’s family subsisted on during their hiding.
When Barbro was eight years old, her teacher spoke about Anne Frank in class. This revelation shocked Barbro, who realized that Anne Frank was a famous figure and that her memories might be linked to a past life. Two years later, during a family trip to Amsterdam, Barbro’s father decided to visit the Anne Frank House, now a museum.
Although Barbro had never been there before, she led her family directly to the museum, navigating the streets with ease. Once inside, she identified aspects of the house that had been altered, leaving the guide astonished at her knowledge.
Barbro’s connection to Anne Frank extended beyond memories. Anne had aspired to be a world-famous writer, a dream fulfilled posthumously. Similarly, Barbro showcased an extraordinary talent for writing, penning her first book at the age of 12. This work became the best-selling book in Swedish history at the time. By her teenage years, she had authored nine more books, carrying forward Anne Frank’s literary legacy.
Such stories challenge conventional explanations and reinforce the belief in the soul's continuity. They also align with the spiritual philosophy espoused in texts like the Bhagavad Gita, which states:
वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय
नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि |
तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा
न्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही || 22||
"As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new bodies, giving up the old and useless ones." (Bhagavad Gita 2.22)
Dhritarashtra’s Karma: A Lesson from the Mahabharata
The concept of karma—the law of cause and effect—forms the cornerstone of understanding reincarnation. The Mahabharata, one of Hinduism’s greatest epics, offers a profound illustration of how past deeds shape present circumstances through the story of Dhritarashtra.
Dhritarashtra, the blind king of Hastinapur, lamented the devastating loss of his 100 sons during the Kurukshetra War. Stricken with grief, he turned to Shri Krishna and asked why he had been subjected to such unparalleled suffering. Dhritarashtra’s sorrow was compounded by his lifelong blindness, which he perceived as an additional curse.
In response, Shri Krishna granted Dhritarashtra divine vision to glimpse his past lives. As Dhritarashtra delved into his karmic journey, he uncovered an incident from 50 lifetimes ago when he had been a cruel king. During a hunting expedition, he encountered a beautiful swan and its 100 cygnets. Consumed by sadistic pleasure, he blinded the swan and killed its offspring.
This heinous act, Shri Krishna explained, had set into motion a chain of karmic consequences that culminated in Dhritarashtra’s present suffering—his blindness symbolizing the swan’s plight and the loss of his sons mirroring the slaughter of the cygnets.
The Bhagavad Gita reinforces this principle:
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मण: |
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गति: || 17||
"Just as every action has a reaction, so does every deed bear fruit, whether in this life or the next." (Bhagavad Gita 4.17)
Dhritarashtra’s story underscores the inevitability of karma and the soul’s journey through lifetimes to reap the results of its actions.
The Tragic Hero: Abhimanyu’s Short Yet Significant Life
The Mahabharata also narrates the tale of Abhimanyu, the valiant son of Arjuna and Subhadra, whose life exemplifies the concept of preordained destiny. Abhimanyu’s story begins even before his birth. He was the incarnation of Varchas, the son of the moon god, Chandra. When the celestial beings were called to aid Shri Krishna in his mission to restore dharma, Chandra reluctantly agreed to send Varchas to earth, stipulating that he would only live for 16 years.
While still in Subhadra’s womb, Abhimanyu absorbed military strategies as Arjuna explained them to Subhadra. However, by divine design, Subhadra fell asleep before Arjuna could explain how to exit the formidable Chakravyuha formation. This incomplete knowledge played a pivotal role in Abhimanyu’s destiny.
During the Kurukshetra War, Abhimanyu bravely entered the Chakravyuha to confront the Kauravas. However, treachery led to his isolation, and despite his unmatched courage, he was killed. Abhimanyu’s premature death served a higher purpose, galvanizing the Pandavas to fight with renewed vigor and determination.
This story illustrates how the soul’s journey is guided by divine will and karma. It also highlights the transient nature of life and the importance of fulfilling one’s duties without attachment to outcomes, as emphasized in the Bhagavad Gita:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि || 47 ||
"You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions. Do not let the results of your actions be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction." (Bhagavad Gita 2.47)
Philosophical Insights on Reincarnation
The Vedas and Upanishads delve deeply into the nature of the soul, describing it as eternal, indestructible, and distinct from the body and mind. While the body and mind are composed of material energy and are perishable, the soul, or Atman, is divine and everlasting.
The Prashnopanishad explains that the soul resides in the region of the heart and radiates consciousness throughout the body. This consciousness is what animates the otherwise inert material body. Ved Vyasa, in the Brahma Sutras, likens the soul’s influence to the fragrance of a flower that permeates an entire garden or the cooling effect of sandalwood paste applied to the forehead.
The journey of the soul is intricately tied to the cycle of birth and death, with each lifetime shaped by the impressions (samskaras) and actions (karma) of previous lives. While most individuals lose memories of past lives due to the trauma of death and birth, exceptions like Barbro Karlen and Dhritarashtra serve as reminders of the soul’s continuity.
Reincarnation: A Path to Understanding Life’s Purpose
The stories of Anne Frank, Barbro Karlen, Dhritarashtra, and Abhimanyu provide profound insights into the workings of karma, the soul’s immortality, and the divine orchestration of life events. They remind us of the deeper purpose of life: to transcend the cycle of birth and death by realizing our true nature and connecting with the divine.
As Shri Krishna states in the Bhagavad Gita:
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचि
नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूय: |
अजो नित्य: शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो
न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे || 20||
"The soul is neither born, nor does it ever die; nor, having once existed, does it ever cease to be. The soul is eternal, indestructible, and timeless." (Bhagavad Gita 2.20)
Understanding reincarnation and the soul’s journey encourages us to live with greater awareness, compassion, and responsibility, knowing that our actions have far-reaching consequences.
Call to Action
For more profound insights into the mysteries of life and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, subscribe to Swami Mukundananda’s YouTube channel and explore his enlightening lecture series. Discover the wisdom of ancient scriptures, real-life applications of spiritual principles, and transformative practices to lead a meaningful life.
Watch Swami Mukundananda's video series on the “Spiritual Secrets from Hinduism” playlist and embark on a journey of self-discovery and divine connection.
Resources
Books on Reincarnation:
- Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss: A foundational work exploring past-life regression therapy.
- Journey of Souls by Dr. Michael Newton: A detailed analysis of the soul’s journey between lives.
- Reincarnation: The Phoenix Fire Mystery edited by Joseph Head and S.L. Cranston: A comprehensive anthology of reincarnation accounts from various cultures.
Spiritual Texts:
- Bhagavad Gita (translation and commentary by Swami Mukundananda): Provides deep insights into the eternal nature of the soul and the law of karma.
- Upanishads: Foundational texts explaining the nature of the soul and the cycle of life and death.
Scientific Studies and Case Accounts:
- Dr. Ian Stevenson’s research on children’s memories of past lives (Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation).
- University of Virginia’s Division of Perceptual Studies: Ongoing research on consciousness, reincarnation, and near-death experiences.
Stories and Anecdotes:
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank: Offers insight into Anne Frank’s life and her impact on Barbro Karlen’s story.
- “Barbro Karlen’s Past Life as Anne Frank” (Documentary and interviews): Available on platforms like YouTube and online forums exploring reincarnation.
Online Resources:
- Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS): Research on consciousness and its continuity beyond physical life.
- Reincarnation Research: A database of past-life cases and scientific findings.
- Spirituality & Health: Articles and insights on reincarnation, karma, and soul journey.
Swami Mukundananda’s YouTube Channel:
Playlist: Spiritual Secrets from Hinduism
Specific video: What Happens After Death and Understanding Reincarnation and Karma.
FAQs
1. Why do most people not remember their past lives?
The trauma of death and the pain of birth erase most memories of past lives. As a child grows, impressions of the current life further obscure past-life recollections.
2. How does karma influence reincarnation?
Karma determines the circumstances of each life, including one’s physical form, environment, and challenges. Positive actions lead to favorable outcomes, while negative actions result in difficulties.
3. Can reincarnation be scientifically proven?
While reincarnation remains beyond empirical proof, anecdotal evidence, such as past-life memories and stories like Barbro Karlen’s, offer compelling insights into this phenomenon.