The Ekabhavika concept in the context of karma and rebirth is a significant aspect of Hindu philosophy, particularly discussed in the Vyasabhashya on the Yogasutras by Patanjali. This concept delves into the intricate relationship between karma, the actions one undertakes, and the cycle of rebirth or punarjanma.
The central idea behind Ekabhavika is that many karmas
(actions) culminate in the manifestation of a single birth. To understand this
concept, several alternatives are explored to determine the relationship
between karma and the subsequent rebirth. These alternatives are crucial for
refining the understanding of how karma influences the cycle of life.
The first alternative questions whether a single karma
results in one birth. The second alternative asks if one karma could cause
multiple births. The third alternative posits whether several karmas lead to
several births. Lastly, the fourth alternative explores whether multiple karmas
give rise to only one birth.
The discussion then eliminates the first three alternatives,
as they pose challenges and contradictions. Accepting that a single karma
produces one birth could lead to confusion, especially considering the
multitude of karmas accumulated over countless lifetimes. Likewise, the idea of
a single karma causing multiple births is dismissed, as it is not conceivable
for an individual soul (jiva) to assume simultaneous births.
By employing the doctrine of elimination (parisheshanyaya),
the Ekabhavika concept asserts the validity of the fourth alternative — that
several accumulated karmas contribute to only one birth. According to this
perspective, among the numerous karmas amassed over lifetimes, one major karma,
along with several minor karmas harmonious with it, reaches maturity at the
time of death. This culmination then determines the nature of the next birth,
including its jati (type), ayus (duration of life), and bhoga (experiences,
both positive and negative).
In essence, the Ekabhavika concept provides a nuanced
understanding of how karma influences the cycle of rebirth, emphasizing the
complexity and interplay of various karmas in shaping an individual's destiny
across multiple lifetimes in the continuous cycle of samsara.