saMsAra = Reincarnation?

[vidya at cco.caltech.edu]

I would agree that it is wrong to translate reincarnation/rebirth as saMsAra.
Etymologically, there is no doubt a connection, but in terms of usage, I very
much doubt the effectiveness of the translation. "punarjanma" is in fact used
quite often, but it carries with it an implied reference to "punarmaraNa" -
redeath, if you will. 

"saMsAra" as used in a Vedantic context is probably better understood as 
worldly life, not just the world. The material, external world is never 
called saMsAra, to the best of my knowledge. 

S. Vidyasankar