Prarabdh Part 04

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Prarabdh Part 04

 

Prarabdh or destiny is the result of the karma (done by oneself in the past)

that one is destined to reap in the present life. It includes both the sukarma

(good) and dushkarma (bad). But usually only when unwanted things happen, we use

the word prarabdh.

 

We can understand this through use of a simple example. Suppose I want a mango

plant and for this I sow the seeds in the soil. After due care, to my surprise a

neem plant grows from the seeds I planted (instead of mango plant). This creates

confusion and dissatisfaction in my mind. When I ponder over the cause of this,

I realized that my lack of knowledge about the seeds made me plant neem seeds

instead of mango seeds. In this example, planting the seeds is the sanchita

karma (action done in the past), Reaping a neem tree is Prarabhda (result of

action in the present).

 

In the same way, even though all of us want to enjoy happiness, our own selfish

and ignorant actions in the past create a dissatisfactory present. From this it

must be clear that there is no one to blame for our present situation. This is

what prarabdha karma means. We are responsible for our own Prarabhda. Sri Sai

explains this to us on several occasions.

 

So, what to do next? This becomes the future karma (Agami). Let us again take

the above example. Now, I have to go to a person or Guru who has knowledge about

seeds and who can advise me properly. With the help of the Guru, if I can plant

a mango seed this time in the appropriate way, I will get a mango tree as

desired.

 

The prerequisite is to have Sraddha or Faith with the understanding that

whatever my Guru advises is for my own best. The second one is Saburi. It means

to have the courage and patience to trust in the words of the teacher, even

though things are not falling in place in the time frame that I have set.

 

As stated earlier, Prarabdha also means results of Sukarma (good actions). The

very thought of seeking the advice of a Guru is the result of Good Prarabhda. If

one continues to follow the teachings of the Guru in daily living, this will

surely turn things around in due course of time. (Even if one falls repeatedly,

one should be able to muster the courage and try to get up. This is the

Purushartha or Free will.) So, in the Prarabdha, if one is due for an injury

from a knife, a pin will prick in its place if we properly follow the Dharmic

way of life.