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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Man reaps the result of his actions

 

CHENNAI, JUNE 13. It is common to see virtuous people suffering

in the world while those given to immoral ways blessed with all

the good things in life. This paradox is sure to confound and

demoralise those who are wedded to Dharma because they do not

seem to enjoy the result of their good actions (Karma) in this

life. The scriptures are the only source to which such people can

resort to boost their morale in times of despondency. Lord

Krishna has clarified in the Bhagavad Gita that man cannot escape

from reaping the fruit of his actions and that He gives the

result of man's Karma.

 

One may wonder why Karma cannot operate without the agency of the

Lord on its own. Karma as such is incapable of giving result

directly and works through other agencies. For instance, when a

person acquires Punya by performing good deeds, the result may

attain fruition perhaps in another birth and will be conferred

through some external agency though God dispenses it. Man

accumulates Karma by thought, word and deed. Only the Lord who is

all-knowing and resides as the indweller (Antaryamin) in all

knows what transpires in the minds of men. Hence the role of a

divine agency in human lives to dispense the fruit of actions

becomes imperative.

 

In his discourse, Sri M.R. Nagasubramanian said that the

Bhagavata Purana highlighted this truth while expounding the life

of Dhruva, the child-devotee of God. Spurned by his stepmother,

Suruchi, when he sought his father's love and attention, Dhruva

yet a child, ran crying to his mother, Suniti. Lifting her

sobbing child the noble lady instead of speaking ill of those who

had wronged them, consoled him saying, ``Entertain no evil

thought about others, dear child. For a man reaps in this life

the very suffering he has inflicted on others in a previous

existence...''

 

Suniti also advised Dhruva that both worldly and heavenly joys

can be obtained only by worshipping the Lord and directed him,

``Take refuge in Him who is fond of His devotees and access to

whose lotus feet is sought after by men keen to get liberated and

imprinting His image on your mind, purified by devotion to your

duty and exclusively attached to Him, adore the Supreme Person. I

find none other than the Lord who can wipe out your sorrow.''

Without being fatalistic or blaming others for one's lot in life,

a person in adversity must try to improve his condition by

reposing faith in God and worshipping Him because only the

Almighty can intervene in the working of Karma in human lives.

 

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