After Life Death: fact or Fiction

In his quite room surrounded by the chaotic Thapathali traffic, Dr Kirti Swaroop Rawat talks to Sanchita Regmi Joshy about his research on the phenomenon that have drawn the attention of both believers and skeptics alike.

Throughout the centuries, men and women from all walks of life have reported strange experiences when they seemed to see people, places, and events through the eyes of another individual from period before they were born. At any given time, there are hundreds of people claiming events about their past lives, which causes a lot of skepticism. Some who have described such experiences have been deeply hypnotised while others are fully conscious. Various explanations have been suggested. Do the experiences represent real flashbacks from some prebirth past? Can the mind truly go out of time?

"Even if a belief is universal, it does not necessarily mean that it is true also," says Dr Kirti Swaroop Rawat who is an eminent parapshychologist and Director of the International Center for Survival and Reincarnation Researches. Dr Rawat has been involved in this field for about thirty-five years and he has been successful in documenting more than 500 cases of reincarnation after thorough investigation and follow-up interviews.

Most of his cases seem highly convincing. A subject’s handwriting may change. They may speak a language and experience emotion unknown to them in walking hours and many even phantom wounds.

Yet the fact remains that certain phenomena confound logical explanation and seem evidence of a mystifying power at work. Can these be constructed as proof of reincarnation?

Of all the many cases suggestive of reincarnation that have come to light from time to time, only a few are authentic. The case of Shanti Devi is one of the most out standing.

People hear of many cases of reincarnation these days, but in the early 30s,information about a girl born in a little-known locality of Delhi, who claimed to remember her past life, was considered great news indeed. Shanti Devi, born in 1926, was the subject of speculation all of her life. Born on December 11, 1926, Shanti Devi started speaking about her husband and children when she was just four years of age. She said her husband was in Mathura, a place in India, where he owned a shop infront of the Dwarkadeesh temple and they had a son. She also said that her name was Lugdi Bai.

One day a distance relative told Shanti that if she could give her husband’s name, he would take her to Mathura. Allured by the offer, she whispered into his ears, pandit Kedar nath Chaubey. This cousin of Shanti wrote to her husband in Mathura all the detail. Soon within a few days, the previous family appeared in Delhi along with Lugdi’s son. Shanti identified him immediately.

Shanti’s story spread all over the country through media and when Mahatma Gandhi heard about it, he called Shanti, talked to her and requested her to stay in his ashram. On Gandhi’s advice, a committee of 15 prominent persons was constituted to verify the claims made by the girl. The committee persuaded her parents to allow her to accompany them to Mathura. They left by train with Shanti on November 24, 1935.

While at Mathura, Shanti was asked to guide the Tonga from station to her house. On her way, she described the changes that had taken place since her time as Lugdi which were all correct. She could reach to her house unguided. There and later in the day, she recognised both the father and the mother-in-law and also her parents, sister and brother.

Shanti was taken to the temple and other places she had talked of earlier. Almost all her statements were found correct. "I met Shanti first in February 1986", says Dr Rawat. I interviewed her in detail about her past life memories and her recollections of Mathura visit in 1935. Then I went to Mathura and asked the various relatives of Lugdi Bai to describe the entire scene of Shanti’s first visit to them in 1935. Lugdi’s brother was very emotional and had eyes full of tears while narrating the whole story.

Dr Rawat’s last interview with Shanti Devi was four days before her death, on December 27,1987, after which she become a legend forever in an annals of cases suggestive of reincarnation. Still, as is true for all other alleged cases of reincarnation, Shanti Devi’s case too may not be foolproof. It is important that persons who investigate such episodes must be fully conversant with the scientific methods of research.

Similarly, another case of Radha too is quite fascinating. Sohani, a girl of 15 from an Indian village had come to her maternal aunt’s village on a casual visit sometime in December 1971.

One day when she was cutting some tree branches and leaves for some cattle, she fell down and was fatally hurt on the head, about two inches from the forehead, by a pointed stone. She died within five minutes. Just a few days later, her maternal aunt dreamt Sohani telling her that she was coming back to another village called Juri.

About nine months later, a girl was born. Her name was Radha. When Radha started talking, she declared that she was Sohani. Subsequently, she made several verifiable statements relating to the manner of her death.

"I met Radha and her relatives both of the previous life and the existing. Sohani’s mother gave the details of Radha’s recalling her past life as Sohani and also addressing her as mother when she first saw her. She also told us that Radha’s face resembles much with Sohani," Dr Rawat recalled.

Reincarnation states that the spirit comes to the Earth many times, in order to experience physical life, under a variety of circumstances and conditions.

To some, this represents a grotesque cycle in which the spirit becomes trapped; others look at it as a wonderful, divine plan which offers an opportunity to expand in our awareness and to correct that which needs to be corrected.

Just about every culture has had, as part of its teaching, a belief in reincarnation. In the twentieth century, it is undeniably accepted among most religions of the East. In the West, mainstream religions and churches shy away from any discussion or belief in the cycle of rebirth. Yet, recent surveys indicate clearly that the majority of Americans, including spiritualists, do believe in reincarnation.

The question, then, arises: who is correct? Proof of reincarnation is a very personal matter; what may constitute proof for one may have no credence to another. Faith, perhaps even more than knowledge and proof, is what strengthens the spirit.

The issue of reincarnation relates very strongly to questions concerning life and death: when were we, as spirits, created; how long and where shall we continue to be?

There are three basic arguments against the doctrine of reincarnation:

It is not scientifically proven.

We come back as a different person, thus reincarnation is not a fact.

Why should there be a cyclic return to the Earth?

Let us look briefly at each of these arguments and see if we can shed some light on it.

Not Scientifically Proven: It is correct to say that reincarnation has not been proven scientifically; it probably never will be. But then again, how many of our spiritual or religious teachings and doctrines have been? To state that a theory or teaching is not true because current-day science cannot prove it, is to state that the laws of the Earth represent all the laws that exist within creation; this, of course, is not correct. In considering reincarnation, we are dealing with an aspect of the spirit; thus, spiritual laws must be considered. All laws of the spirit, which have stood the test of time, point directly to the reality of reincarnation.

Through various techniques of hypnosis and life regression, Dr. Kirti Swaroop Rawat and others have been able to confirm that certain people are able to offer direct information concerning past lives; information which they have no way of knowing (at least from the current earthly life) and which can be verified. This type of information is often obtained from children.

Birthmarks often correspond to gunshot wounds or wounds inflicted by other weapons. Radha’s birthmark, for example, corresponded with the spot where she fatally injured herself.

"In 1996, I studied a boy of about four years, who could read fluently from books in English and from scriptures in Sanskrit," says Dr Rawat. Adding, "we have records of 38 cases of child prodigies, but out of these only six had some memories of a past life and those too not quite scientific.

Numerous are the cases in which birthmarks/defects have been found on the body of the subjects corresponding to the wounds on the body of the past personality.

So how strong is the scientific evidence with regard to the hypothesis of reincarnation?

Do we have enough legitimate basis for accepting the doctrine? Every case individually has much strength and some weakness as well but taken together, the combined strength of a large group of cases from diverse sources is like fagots of sticks.

On the basis of all the huge and impressive evidence collected, my conclusion is that the reincarnation hypothesis may now be taken scientifically ‘acceptable’ if not proved to the satisfaction of all, concludes Dr Rawat.

"The more people understand the phenomenon of reincarnation, the more careful they will be about their behaviour, "Rawat added.

Celebration of New Year

Now place that image in superb places located just minutes from the city. You’ve just imagined celebration in hotels, in a "delightfully charming" upscale in the planned community of celebration.

Boutique hotels where simplicity and innocence of turn-of-the-century blend beautifully with the comfort of luxurious amenities and superior service - hotels overlooking a pristine lake nestled in the center of a quaint place setting.

Now place that image in superb places located just minutes from the city. You’ve just imagined celebration in hotels, in a "delightfully charming" upscale in the planned community of Celebration.

Experience a world-class destination in an atmosphere of five star charm and simplicity, in the hotels of the capital. Celebrate 2059 at the Hyatt amidst an evening that promises to bring you the best music, food and ambience. At the café, one could enjoy a sumptuous buffet of international and Nepalese speciality cuisine welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine. Well-satiated, you could amble your way into Rox Bar, which was a complimentary entrance and enjoy an evening of undiluted fun. At the Rox Bar, its live pulsating music marked with exciting cocktails and tempting Nepali snacks. A guest performer added that special appeal to the Nepali New Year with popular Nepali numbers.

Sinfully tempting, absolutely delicious and just the right note to end a meal, pastry Chef Pratap created gourmet magic with a brand new dessert menu for the festival. Chocolate Decadence, Dark Rum and Kahlua Crème Brulee and Rox iced Desserts were a special recommendation.

Also for that day, master creators of Indian cuisine brought to us Nawabi delicacies from Northern India- Biryanis and the Kebabs at the Café. Straight from the tandoor were succulent delicacies like Dum Ki Raan, Murgh Tikka Nawabi and more. This offer will be lasting till the 28th of April.

Similarly, for the Nepali New Year’s celebration, Soaltee Crowne Plaza has been offering the following treats at the Hotel.

One could enjoy a fantastic New Year’s Eve Dinner at any of the restaurants, Alfresco Bukhara, Himalchuli, China Garden and Garden Terrace and pick up any dessert on the menu. Fabulous Deserts were absolutely free at the outlets for Dinner only on the New Year’s Eve. The second person eats free at the Garden Terrace International Luncheon Buffet.

That means at Rs 700 nett a fabulous lunch for a couple. The buffet has Nepali specialities and International favourites. The staffs at the Garden Terrace would also be offering great gifts and games for the children at the lovely sundeck beside the Garden Terrace restaurant and hence, Garden Terrace this New year’s day will be perfect place to enjoy with the whole family.

China Garden offers delightful oriental lunch on the New Year’s day for just Rs 350 nett per person and will be another superb venue to enjoy a fabulous New Year’s day lunch with family and friends.

Similarly at the Radisson Hotel, Splash bar, that serves an excellent selection of liquor and wines, is an ideal setting for the celebration of this New Year. Besides these, they have some more fun items. This is the Afro Dizzi Act band, which was playing at the Kathmandu Jazz festival. It is a lead band from Australia. This is their last show in Nepal. They play Jazz & funk type of music. For that day, food and drinks are available at a very reasonable price. This jazz group promises to heat up the night with sizzling performances. This is going to add a new and exciting flavour to the event.

A host of promotions with a view towards familiarising the locals with probably once in a year’s time is something which we all would love and appreciate. Throughout your stay, luxury in each of these hotels greets you at every step.

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