Understanding the Law of Karma

By Super

Friday, February 5, 2016, 17:47

The Vedanta Kesary, p. 195, May 2007

Question: Many a time it happens that a person who has put more effort fails while some with very little effort succeeds. This is in spite of making right choices. What is the role of fate in such situations?

Answer: According to Bhagvad Gita (Ch 18:14,15), there are five factors which determine success in any enterprise. These are:

Adhishthan or Infrastructure

Karta or Agent/Individual

Karana or Means/Equipment

Chesta or Effort

Daiva or Fate/God's Grace

Please note that fate is only one of the factors. Often, the other four are not perfect and fate is blamed for the failure. We must perfect the means, equip ourselves best and exert ourselves to the most—then success is bound to come. Every action bears a result. Great men never blame fate. They take the responsibility for all their actions on themselves. Swami Vivekananda said, 'Let us perfect the means; the end will take care of itself.' (his lecture titled Work and its Secret, C.W. 2.9)

Question: Suppose we read a religious book which eventually brings change in our life. Was reading this book because of our free will or due to our destiny?

Answer: There are two schools of thought regarding this. One believes in free will and considers destiny as only the result of our conscious efforts. The other school believes that every thing happens according to God's will and not even a leaf can stir against God's will. How do we reconcile these two? Let us remember that as long as we think we are the agent of doing a work (that is, we are free to will, decide and act), we have to accept the first view. However, as we evolve spiritually, a day comes, when we feel utterly helpless and find our ego is no longer able to take any decision or do any work; then only, when such a state arises, one can say that one is being governed by God's will. To perceive God's will (or destiny) per se is possible only for highly advanced soul. All others must do what is one's duty and is ethically acceptable.

Question: Who is responsible for our Karmas (good and bad)—the circumstances in which we find ourselves or we ourselves? Why does an individual suffer for something that he is forced to do?

Answer: It is quite true that our past Karmas place us in certain circumstances or surroundings. We reap what we sow. But when we are put into a certain situation, our reaction to that is in our hands. It is a well known fact that different people react to the same situation differently. If you react in a wrong manner you are bound to suffer and get into vicious circle of birth and death. But if you respond with maturity and calmness, every situation becomes a means for you to break the bondage of Karma and be free ultimately.

About The Author

A former editor of The Vedanta Kesari, the author is presently the Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Chandigarh.