Philosophy In Jain Agams: Ways of Knowing Previous Births

There are three ways depicted in the Acārāṅga Sūtra for knowing the previous births:

1. One's own power of recollection
2. Exposition by the omniscient
3. Hearing directly from others^[1]

1. Sva Smṛti (One's own power of recollection)
   One of the ways of knowing one's previous birth is, the awakening of one's own power of recollection. Memory of previous birth through one's own power of recollection is known as sva smṛti. Many people know their previous birth in their childhood.
2. Para - vyākaraṇa (Exposition by the omniscient)
   Some people memorize their previous birth based on discussion with omniscient or wise men. Here, the word 'para' denotes Jina or omniscients^[2] Jinas are omniscients. They know all the three times i.e. past, present and future. A person recalls his previous births through their expositions. Example is how Lord Mahavira made Muni Megha recall his previous birth and firmly establish him in monkhood.
   
3. Aṇṇesim vā antiye soccā (Listening from others)
   Some get the memory of their previous birth, by listening to the preaching of a person with extra ordinary perception, although these are not strictly Jinas.