Garuda Puranam

One of the important puranas in the dialogue form is 'Garuda Purana'. This is the outcome of conversation between Lord Krishna and Patchiraj, the Garuda on various topics, that are essential for human life. Garuda, for the sake of human being, raises various questions and gets answers for them from the Lord.

The whole conversation was shared by the great soul Suutha Muni, the prominent disciple of Veda Vyasa, by the request of Sownaka and his disciples.

Sownaka was a great sage, who lived with his disciples in a serene atmosphere called Naimicharanyam. This place is covered with dense forest and with natural beauties. It's a place meant for leading a  peaceful and pious life.

Evey living thing that is being born on this earth is subjected to perish. All have expiry date like how man-made products have date of manufacture and date of expiry. During the course of his or her stay there are 3 different karmas the living being will undergo. In a simple language, karma means action. They are

• Sanchita Karma - Karma accumulated in all births
• Prarabdha Karma - Karma fetching fruits
• Kriyamana Karma - Just created actions or instant actions are karmas
• Aagami Karma - actions that are going to take place in future.

Based on the karma performed by the living being, the soul will assume the body and would be born again. The effects of various karmas will act on the body when the soul is in it. When the soul departures, the process and path will also be determined by the karma performed by it.

What are the reasons for birth and re-births?
Karma. Varnas are created to perform respective duties. If people of one varna intend to perform prescribed duties or karma of other varnas, then it becomes the source of all confusions and problems.