#261 Karma, Fate, and Destiny

Most people are intrigued by the question “what does the future holds for me?” Hence the popularity of horoscopes, tarot and psychic readings, palmistry, etc. This is because many are focused on what it is they may consider as “good” but are often blind to the “bad” that may also be coming.

Wherever we find ourselves at any given time in our life, it is the “effect” or result of our previous desires, choices and actions. Therefore, focusing on wanting to know the future can make us oblivious to the opportunity that the present offers. And that is to literally “create” our future by consciously choosing courses of action that produce great outcomes.

There is a rather naïve idea that freedom means being able to do anything you want, whenever you want to, and having the money and power to do that. This idea is blind to the very real repercussions that my choices and actions will have. Every action produces a karmic reaction, so we must “pay” for our deeds. This chain of action and reaction binds the living being to material existence. As you sow, so shall ye reap.

The texts I quote in this talk:

…. for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. - Galatians 6:7

Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail. - Bhagavad-gītā 8.6

The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is. - Bhagavad-gītā 4.17

One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities. - Bhagavad-gītā 4.18

Abandoning all attachment to the results of his activities, ever satisfied and independent, he performs no fruitive action, although engaged in all kinds of undertakings. - Bhagavad-gītā 4.20

Such a man of understanding acts with mind and intelligence perfectly controlled, gives up all sense of proprietorship over his possessions and acts only for the bare necessities of life. Thus working, he is not affected by sinful reactions. - Bhagavad-gītā 4.21

He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady both in success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions. - Bhagavad-gītā 4.22

One is understood to be in full knowledge whose every act is devoid of desire for sense gratification. He is said by sages to be a worker whose fruitive action is burned up by the fire of perfect knowledge. - Bhagavad-gītā 4.19

All these performers who know the meaning of sacrifice become cleansed of sinful reaction, and, having tasted the nectar of the remnants of such sacrifice, they go to the supreme eternal atmosphere. - Bhagavad-gītā 4.30

O best of the Kuru dynasty, without sacrifice one can never live happily on this planet or in this life: what then of the next? - Bhagavad-gītā 4.31

The living entity is exactly like a dog, who, overcome with hunger, goes from door to door for some food. According to his destiny, he sometimes receives punishment and is driven out and at other times receives a little food to eat. Similarly, the living entity, being influenced by so many desires, wanders in different species of life according to destiny. Sometimes he is high, and sometimes he is low. Sometimes he goes to the heavenly planets, sometimes to hell, sometimes to the middle planets, and so on. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.29.30-31

Before giving up this present body, if one is able to tolerate the urges of the material senses and check the force of desire and anger, he is a yogī and is happy in this world. - Bhagavad-gītā 5.23