The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Driven by Karma

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Friday, Apr 29, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Driven by Karma

CHENNAI: : One is not able to reconcile the apparent paradox that pervades this existence. There seems to be no rhyme or reason behind the divergence and disparity in the intellectual and material endowments of individuals.

Some are good-natured, honest, truthful, and compassionate, in fact exemplars of most virtues. And many others are the embodiments of negative qualities. Again some have access to wealth and enjoy material happiness, while a huge majority do not even get a square meal a day. What is even more puzzling is that while those known to be virtuous are subjected to trails and tribulations, the wicked seem to be blessed with all the best things in life.

While clarifying this inconsistency and mystery, Velukkudi Sri V. Krishnan cited the adage, "As we sow, so we reap", in his discourse. So too in life, if each one has turned out differently, it is because of our individual Karma. God shows an equal love, care and concern towards all of us who are His children. There is no doubt that God controls the world and human beings as well. One is tempted to raise this doubt that if everything happens because of His divine Will, what is the role of human beings who are endowed with free will and are capable of exercising restraint or choosing to act according to their whims and fancies? The answer is God the charioteer drives all of us horses, with the reins of our individual Karma.

In the cycle of birth and death, the embodied soul forgets the creator, the origin and destination, and is blissfully unaware that all this is forgotten. After every Janma, the Jivatma goes to Heaven or Hell, depending on its good or bad deeds respectively, for a required term, after which it is once again cast into the womb to be born again and the cycle continues.

To get out of this cycle, this baggage of Karma has to be shed. This is Moksha or liberation that the soul has to aspire for.

The Lord is eager to help the suffering soul who wishes to be liberated from the mundane world. He promises to free the soul from this bondage, if the Jivatma unconditionally accepts its inability to fight the forces of Karma on its own, and reposes absolute faith in His grace. His incarnations are proof this.

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