from Yogis, Destiny and the Wheel of Time - ch. 11

The best definition of predestination I quote is from the Valmiki Ramayana when Lord Rama explained the working of destiny to Lakshmana (his brother):

"That which we come to know of only when it happens - joys or sorrows - is the result of our karma; that which can be nothing else except the results of our karmas is destiny: who can fight that destiny?"

"Happiness and unhappiness, fear and anger, birth and death and like so many other events whose reason is not known, is the working of destiny."

"Even rishis doing severe spiritual penances, give up their practices, stricken by lust and anger and fall from their ideals which is a result of the working of destiny."

"That which happens for which we are least prepared, and suddenly upsets our work which is well begun, is destiny and its working."

Lord Rama also showed the way one should face destiny: accept it, let the working of destiny come to its logical end, yet never leave the path of virtue and never give up spiritual practices.

All the great saints I have met have followed the path shown by Lord Rama.

- K.N. Rao
reprinted with permission

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