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:
1. Adhishthan or
Infrastructure
2. Karta or
Agent/Individual
3. Karana or
Means/Equipment
4. Chesta or
Effort
5. 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.
