There is no definite period of time in this matter. In main, two factors decide this issue,viz., the nature of the individual Karma and the last impression before death. It may vary fromhundreds of years to a few months even. Those that work out some of their Karmas in otherplanes in subtler regions take a considerable time before entering a fresh body. The interval isvery long, for a year of the earth period passes off as a single day on the celestial plane. There isan instance cited where, seeing the amazement and admiration of foreign tourists at the imposingruins of certain ancient monuments, a saint present in the vicinity remarked that some of thosepeople had fashioned those monuments centuries ago.A very sensual individual with strong craving or one with intense attachment sometimesis reborn quickly. Also in cases where life is cut short by a violent death or a sudden unexpectedaccident, the Jiva resumes the thread very soon. Usually, in such cases of immediate rebirth, theJiva often remembers many of the events of its previous life. It recognizes its former relativesand friends and identifies its old home and familiar objects. This sometimes leads to very queerdevelopments. There are some instances where a murdered person, being reborn, has declaredthe manner of his death and revealed the identity of the killer in the recent past.But such cases of immediate rebirth are not common. Generally, for an averageindividual, the interval between death and rebirth happens to be a considerable period measuredin terms of earth time. Persons who have done much good Karma spend a great deal of time onthe Daivic plane before being born again. Great souls, spiritually advanced persons, wait for along time before reincarnating.From "May I answer that" by Swami Sivananda (1987-1963). More Informations on Swami Sivananda: on the Website of Divine Life Society, Photographs of Swami Sivananda, German Pages on Swami Sivananda
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