Is fate real? Does fate play its role in our lives? Or is it just an imaginary judgement that life is steered by fate?

“What is going to happen will happen is predetermined by fate.” Is it an expression of consolation, helplessness, or an inherent feeling to accept fate?

The things we do are controlled by fate? In other words, that is our Karma.

Does God play a role in assigning karmas in an individual’s life?

If He does, Karma can be classified as fate or a predetermined destiny.

In that case, our freedom to create events is restricted or controlled. The divine intervention and direction, both in its predestined agenda and in producing consequences, discourage an autonomous approach to undertaking an action.

But, according to Advaita Vedanta, a school of Hindu studies, only the result or harvest of an action is governed by Him based on the merits and demerits of the activity. The outcome of an action may be instant or delayed. This rebound could be any time during the life span of an individual. Or, for those who believe in reincarnation, the next life can experience the karmic reaction.

As per this theology, whereas God is responsible for selecting and delivering rewards, the principal responsibility to create and execute an event lies with an individual.

In contrast, arguing for an unconditional release of Karma from divinity, the Mimamsa school rejects the Supreme’s involvement in its creation and result.

The ancient Mimamsa school of thought finds common ground and relevancy in contemporary Hindu thought on the concept of Karma. Moreover, it identifies its logical relationship with science.

Newton’s law of motion: Every action leads to a reaction, which applies to the Karma law.

Actions and reactions produced by Karmas infuse the management and dynamics of our lives.

In this regime, there are good karmas, bad karmas, naive karmas, and induced karmas. There are karmas of exploration, adventure and risk, alertness, and guidance.

Karma is one of those aspects of Hinduism where, besides being an operation to act, it alerts and guides us toward conscientious and meaningful living.

Karma helps in evolving our fate and destiny.

-By Promod Puri