why is human birth considered rare? Sastras declare that Prarabdha karma decides the kind of Janma. If prarabdha consists full of punya one can attain super human janma that is Devata janma. If the prarabdha consists of full of papa karma one can get sub human janma like animals, creatures and reptiles. If the prarabdha is mixed with punya and papa( MIsrama karma ) one can get human birth. However the Devata janma is not considered as the superior one. They are considered as Bhoga janmas . They are for enjoyment. If punya in Prarabdha decreases they again return to earth, to lower states. In heaven there is no progress in one`s spiritual life. Humans have every possibility to get rid of their papa by practicing sat karma charana and every chance to attain higher altitude of final liberation. The following characteristics make humans elevate from other living beings. Of the various 84 lakhs of births human birth is con...
` Pumsatvam’ ? Are women debarred from vedic study? `Pumsatvam’ means masculine temperament of an individual irrespective of gender. Firmness of determination, detachment, intellectual capacity, steadfastness in composure is the qualities of Pumsatvam. Pumsatvam is not a reference to the body but to an intellect. One who has the intellect that is free of the attachments and sentiments which affects and blunts its sharpness and twists the power of reasoning. In the context of spirituality manhood means moral courage, mental strength, steadfastness pursuit, stubborn will to move along the spiritual path. If we can find these qualities in any individual irrespective of gender he or she is considered as human being of Pumsatvam. Women are not debarred from vedic studies. Vedantic scriptures are full of references to women being both students as well as teachers. Maitreyi was the student of sage Yajnavalkya, her own husband. Ka...