Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s10.t6.41

v1.c7.s10.t6.41

In addition to the “five-fire-and-two-path” theory, a “three-path-and-four-way-of-birth” theory was also upheld in certain Upanishads. The “Three Paths” refer to the “Path of Gods”, the “Path of Ancestors”, and the “Path of Animals”, while the “Four Ways of Birth” refer to womb-born (jalābuja); egg-born (aṇḍaja); moisture-born (saṁsedaja); and seed-born (bījaja). The theory mainly covers the various physical manifestations of reincarnation. According to quite a few Upanishads, whether one’s reincarnation will be good or bad is determined by one’s prior actions. As *Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad* 3.2.13 enlightens, “one indeed becomes good through good work and evil through evil work”. *Chāndogya Upanishad* 5.10.7 also stipulates in clear terms that “When one acts piously, he attains a good birth. He is born as a brahmana or a kshatriya or a vaisya. When one acts sinfully, he attains a sinful birth. He is born as a dog, a pig, or an outcaste.” “Acting piously” means to abide by the religious rules of Brahmanism, fulfill one’s caste duties, study the doctrines of Brahmanism, and come to fully understand the Brahman-Atman unity and oneness; while “acting sinfully” means failing to fulfill one’s caste duties or acting in a way not befitting of one’s caste status.