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Ones own power of recollection
This is the first source. Some children in their childhood get the memory of the past life spontaneously. With modern psychologists many events of spontaneous memory of past occurrences are found registered. In Jaina literature also, there are records of such incidents.
In the Susruta Samhitā, it is pointed out the persons with their mind, cultivated in the past life by the study of spiritual lore, are capable of the memory of the past life.' Exposition by the Jina
This is the second source. The exposition is ascribed to the supreme authority namely the Jina. This is confirmed in the Niryukti (commentary) where it is said that there is no higher authority than Jina who had expounded the doctrine of transmigration.?
In this connection, Meghakumāra's memory of previous life deserves mention. In the commentaries, the example of Gautama Svāmi is also mentioned
Lord Mahāvīra was asked by Gautama Svāmī, "O Lord ! how is it that omniscience is not arising in me''?
The Lord explained “O Gautama! This is so because you have deep attachment to me”.
Gautama Svāmi, "O Lord! this is exactly so, but what is reason of my excessive attachment towards you''?
Then the Lord mentioned that there was mutual relation between them in many past lives. In this connection, the Lord said, “You had been attached to me for a long time. You had been acquainted with me for a long time"'.'
On hearing this explanation of the Lord, Gautama Svāmi came to possess the knowledge (memory) of the specific direction from which he came to the present state of existence, and the life.
Hearsay
This is third source. It is not direct revelation by the Jina, but it is something heard as propounded by a person with his power of extrasensory perception. Such hearing is conducive to intuitive knowledge in the listener. In ancient commentaries, such source was indicative of all people, other than the Jinas, who were possessed of special knowledge.
The memory of the past life is inborn in some souls, while in other it is an acquired faculty due to some auxiliary causes, which are: the special
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