Trending News: In the 1930s, an incident in India shocked scientists, religious leaders, and common people alike. An innocent young girl made a startling claim that continues to be regarded as one of the strongest pieces of evidence in the debate on reincarnation.
This is the extraordinary story of Shanti Devi, who insisted she was reborn after death.
From Delhi to Mathura—Two Lives, One Soul
Shanti Devi was born on 11 December 1926 in Daryaganj, Delhi. She was a normal, healthy child—until the age of four, when she began speaking of a past life. She claimed her real home was in Mathura, that her name used to be Lugdi Devi, and that she was married to a man named Kedarnath Choubey.
Shanti told her stunned parents that she had died during childbirth and even had a son in that previous life. She repeatedly asked to return to her “in-laws' house,” leaving her family bewildered. At first, they dismissed her words as a child’s imagination.
House, Shop, Streets—Every Detail Was Accurate
As she grew older, Shanti began to give increasingly detailed and accurate information:
- The color of the house—yellow
- A well in front of it
- Her husband’s silk shop
- The names of her mother, mother-in-law, and even the street they lived on
These descriptions were far too precise for a child her age. Her school teachers and principal decided to investigate. To their amazement, they discovered that a woman named Lugdi Devi had actually died in Mathura under similar circumstances, and her husband, Kedarnath Choubey, was still alive.
The Test of Truth—Recognition That Stunned Everyone
When Kedarnath visited Delhi and met Shanti posing as a stranger, she immediately recognized him, saying, “You are Kedar!” Later, when he brought along his son Navneet Lal, Shanti reacted emotionally—just like a mother. Her response stunned the family and the local community.
At this point, the incident could no longer be dismissed. It evolved from a private mystery to a matter of national interest.
Gandhi’s Intervention and Official Inquiry
By 1935, the case had become a sensation in newspapers and society. Even Mahatma Gandhi took note and decided to intervene. He set up a 15-member independent investigation committee, comprising members of parliament, lawyers, journalists, and social workers.
- Shanti was taken to Mathura, where she Identified her previous home
- Recognized neighbors, relatives, and local landmarks like temples and wells
- Became visibly emotional on seeing people from her claimed past life
Scientific Scrutiny and Global Attention
The Shanti Devi case gained global attention from psychologists and researchers:
- Dr. Ian Stevenson, from the University of Virginia, who investigated over 3,000 cases of reincarnation, considered it a credible and compelling case
- Dr. K.S. Rawat, an Indian researcher, documented the case in detail and verified 24 accurate facts that matched Lugdi Devi’s life
- Sture Lönnstrand, a Swedish journalist, famously said, “If this is not reincarnation, then what is?”
A Case Not Without Doubt
Like every extraordinary mystery, this one also had its skeptics. Famous critic Balchand Nahata suggested alternative explanations:
- The events could be a coincidence
- The child might have received prior information
- A family member may have coached her
- He argued that emotional reactions alone should not be accepted as proof of reincarnation.
Books and Enduring Legacy
Shanti Devi’s story has been featured in several books and documentaries. Some of the most notable include
- “I Have Lived Before”
- “Reincarnation and Biology” by Dr. Ian Stevenson
Her case continues to be cited as one of the strongest and best-documented examples in reincarnation research.
Question of the Day: Is the Soul Eternal?
Shanti Devi passed away in 1987, but her story lives on. Her case continues to raise profound questions about the existence of the soul, consciousness after death, and the limits of science.
- Can a person retain memories from a previous life?
- Can science explain these phenomena?
- Or was this simply a child's imagination and an extraordinary coincidence?
The story of Shanti Devi is not just about reincarnation—it is a compelling saga of how soul, memory, and science intersect. It remains a mystery that challenges modern understanding and keeps alive a centuries-old question: Do we live more than once?
