In Sikh thought, reincarnation—often expressed as the cycle of birth and death, *janam‑maran*—is understood as the soul’s repeated journey through various life forms under the law of karma and the overarching command of the Divine Will, *hukam*. The soul is regarded as eternal, passing from one body to another while it remains entangled in ego, desire, and ignorance of the One God, Waheguru. This wandering through countless births is not celebrated as an endless spiritual adventure but recognized as a state of bondage and separation from the Divine. Both good and bad actions shape future births, yet karma is never seen as operating independently of God’s grace, *nadar* or *kirpa*. The spiritual path therefore involves not merely improving one’s karmic position, but seeking a radical transformation of consciousness through remembrance of God and alignment with the Guru’s teachings.

Within this framework, human birth holds a singularly important place. It is portrayed as a rare and precious opportunity in which the soul can consciously remember the Divine Name (*Naam*), live truthfully, and engage in selfless service (*seva*). Human life provides the unique context in which devotion to the One God, ethical conduct, and service to humanity can be integrated into a householder’s life rather than a life of renunciation. If this opportunity is squandered—through attachment, forgetfulness of God, or self‑centered living—the soul continues in the cycle of reincarnation, shaped by its own past actions. Thus, Sikh teaching places strong emphasis on how one lives now, rather than on speculative curiosity about past or future births.

The ultimate aim is not simply to secure a more favorable rebirth, but to attain liberation, *mukti*, which is freedom from the cycle of birth and death altogether. This liberation is described as union with God, often likened to a drop merging back into the ocean, where the individual sense of separateness dissolves. It is attained through devotion to the One God, meditation on the Divine Name, obedience to the Guru’s guidance, and selfless service that erodes ego and duality. While human effort—ethical living, remembrance, and service—is indispensable, Sikh teaching consistently affirms that the decisive factor is Divine grace. When liberation is granted, the soul no longer reincarnates, having fulfilled its journey by returning to its Source.