Destiny vs free will
This is a great debate all the time
The karma vadis say that we create our destiny and everything is in our control
The Bhagyavadi say everything is predestined and whether we do something or not it is not going to
change anything
Actually, none of these are true
A certain situation is cause of our previous Karmas and our current Karmas creates future situations.
What that Karma is. That Karma is to either take shelter of Lord’s instruction in Bhagavad Gita or to act
for sense gratification and be bound up by the tight ropes of material nature by declining to follow it.
BG 2.33
If, however, you do not perform this religious duty of fighting, then you will certainly incur sins for
neglecting your duties and thus lose your reputation as a fighter.
Here Krishna is giving choice of activity
BG 2.38
“Do thou fight for the sake of fighting, without considering happiness or distress, loss or gain, victory or
defeat—and by so doing you shall never incur sin.”
In Above two verses we see that Krishna is giving choice to Arjuna but at the same time telling him
consequences of both. If we were not having choice to act then why would Krishna give such proposals.
BG 3.5
“Everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualities he has acquired from the modes of
material nature; therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment.”
So its true that when we are bound up by three modes of material nature we are helpless to act as per
the nature we have acquired by the influence of three modes.
But then what is our choice in this Krishna tells next
BG 3.9
“Work done as a sacrifice for Viṣṇu has to be performed; otherwise work causes bondage in this
material world. Therefore, O son of Kuntī, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that
way you will always remain free from bondage.”
We can utilize that nature in service of Krishna. That is our choice. Like Brahmana (Sattva Guna),
Kshatriya(rajo), Vaishya(rajas and tamas) and shudra(tamas) can engage their inclination in service of
Krishna.
BG 5.15
“Nor does the Supreme Lord assume anyone's sinful or pious activities. Embodied beings, however, are
bewildered because of the ignorance which covers their real knowledge.”
That means due to ignorance of real self we create good and bad for us.
BG 7.4
“This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome.
But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.”
Indeed, it is impossible to come out of the bondage of actions and reactions unless we take shelter of
Krishna. That is our choice to change our destiny.
BG 9.27
“Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you
perform—do that, O son of Kunté, as an offering to Me.”
This is our choice.
BG 9.28
“In this way you will be freed from bondage to work and its auspicious and inauspicious results. With
your mind fixed on Me in this principle of renunciation, you will be liberated and come to Me.”
And this is the positive result. So we can change our destiny only by taking shelter of Krishna not
otherwise.
BG 9.29
“I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in
devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.”
Lord is neutral that means everyone is reaping what he had sown.
BG 9.3
“Those who are not faithful in this devotional service cannot attain Me, O conqueror of enemies.
Therefore, they return to the path of birth and death in this material world.”
Thus, we have a choice to surrender to Krishna or not to surrender to Krishna. And according to the
choice we make the results are there.
BG 12.6-7
“But those who worship Me, giving up all their activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without
deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, having fixed their minds upon
Me, O son of Pāthā—for them I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death.”
BG 13.22
“The living entity in material nature thus follows the ways of life, enjoying the three modes of nature.
This is due to his association with that material nature. Thus he meets with good and evil among various
species.”
Its our choice to be out of association of material nature or to remain in that association. These choices
we make as per our understanding of life and understanding is based on knowledge. We have a choice
to read Bhagavad Gita and change our course of life.
BG 18.66
“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions.
Do not fear.”
Destiny means reaction of good and bad actions. pious and impious actions are cause of bondage in this
world. We are bound to act in pious or impious way till we have knowledge of activity beyond the
platform of pious and impious. That knowledge is distributed by the devotees of the Lord and one who is
fortunate takes benefit of it and get himself freed from the clutches of laws of material nature. Different
species of life are awarded according to ones own desire to enjoy a particular kind of situation and lord
has already declared that he is neutral.
BG 18.14
“The place of action [the body], the performer, the various senses, the many different kinds of
endeavor, and ultimately the Supersoul—these are the five factors of action.”
Here specifically word kartā is used for soul. he is the one who desires.
BG 18.15
“Whatever right or wrong action a man performs by body, mind or speech is caused by these five
factors.”
BG 18.18
“Knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the knower are the three factors that motivate action; the
senses, the work and the doer are the three constituents of action.”
