The Atma Jyoti Blog

Q: When we are reincarnated as lower beings of life, how can we get good karma to became a higher being? If you are a tree or snail or something, what can you do to get good karma?

Human beings create human karma, so once we come to the level of human beings we rarely if ever return to animal form. Instead our karma, even if unfortunate, impels us into further human births. We have instances of humans taking animal form, such as Jada Bharata, but when that is done the person has full awareness as a human even in that body. In this way the intended lesson is learned. Their misery ensures that they will not make that mistake in future births. In Jada Bharata’s case the lesson was the unwisdom of over-attachment.

Sadly, some people take animal form because they have made many animals suffer greatly in their previous life. Those who own or work in slaughterhouses run the risk of animal incarnation, as do those who experiment on animals. And what, then about those who eat the flesh of animals? By the end of their lives they have incurred the karma of the slaughter of thousands–tens of thousands–of sentient beings.

For most subhuman species, simply living according to nature is sufficient. The presence of the atman in each one of them is the force that draws them upward into higher forms. However, selfishness, greed, hatred, and other passions can be seen in them, and this will determine the kind of animal bodies they will be taking on. For example, there are beneficial snakes and poisonous snakes. In many species we find this to be true–some are harmful and some are not. Both insects and animals suffer from disease and from “natural predators.” Cunning is to be found in all animals, but the most intelligent are the vegetarians, for they are preparing to take on human form.

Too bad that humans fall back into the way of carnivorous animals that can lead to animal births, though rarely. Instead they are born among other “humanimals” that hate, fight, and kill one another and end up being far worse than any animal. Though in human form they have become demons, and take on demon form after death and retain demon nature when they are reborn.

Related articles:

• How to Misuse Your Power of Thought
• Humans: Are We Carnivores or Vegetarians by Nature?
• The Many Advantages of Vegetarianism