PK Mam
The twin purpose of human life is self-perfection and service to humanity, both of which rest on self-effort. Self-effort is the most essential component of human life and is regarded as the first lesson of man’s spiritual life. No task we undertake can be completed if we are slack or lack self-effort. If we are unfit to fight the battle of life with full zeal, both outwardly and inwardly against our evil tendencies, we are unfit for God as well.
Self effort is based on the free will that a human being possesses. Man is endowed with free will but must also confront the part played by fate. The interconnectedness between free will and fate is explained by scriptures.
There are five causes for the accomplishment of any work a human being undertakes:
*Seat of action-The person who performs the action.
*The agent-Instruments used to perform the action, e.g., a knife to cut (both visible and invisible)
*Various senses-Eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin.
*Manifold efforts-The diverse endeavors involved in the task.
(These four are under human control.)
*Unforeseen force of past Karma or fate. This is invisible and beyond human control.
The role of fate or destiny becomes evident when, despite our best efforts, we do not achieve the desired results. In such instances, the cause and effect remain invisible, leading us to believe in the will of a higher power and accept and surrender to it. This sometimes promotes the idea of blind faith, even though some attribute outcomes to a combination of personal effort, circumstances, and random events.
It is also a fact that man is born with his load of Karmas acquired from past lives, which constitutes his destiny in the present life. Further, what he does in the present life results from past and present Karmas. Free will and fate are like two wheels of a cart, both playing a part in its movement.
Preserving Free Will
Shree Ramakrishna explains to his disciples who often discuss Free Will vs. Fate: A cow tied to a tether has the choice to stand, move, or sit within the circle formed by the rope. This is called Free Will, but the limitation of its movement, confined to the area of the circle, forms Fate.
Free Will Vs Predestination
Do we possess free will, or are our actions predestined by a higher power? Are we shaped by our genetics or the environment in which we are nurtured?
Many learned ones believe this debate balances opposing views. In the poem “For the Time Being,” a thief claims his nature is God-given and blameless, suggesting predestination. Yet, his preference for thievery implies free will and choice. Both sinner and saint are acting according to their assigned roles. This indicates that while genetics and environment influence us, free will is crucial in distinguishing right from wrong.
Behaviorists argue that individuals unable to discern right from wrong, like serial killers, cannot be held responsible for their actions, similar to how someone born deaf cannot be blamed for their hearing impairment. Without free will, the foundation of morality, law, and societal order would collapse. Blaming fate or divine will for our actions is a Weakness that denies the existence of free will.
Self Effort
In the epic story of Savitri and Satyavan, Savitri is able to rescue her husband from Yama (the Lord of Death) and bring him back to life after putting in the desired efforts.
In the Mahabharata, Bhishma conveys the same idea, saying that exertion is greater than destiny.
Maharishi Aurobindo explains fate and effort, quoting Napoleon, who, when asked why he believed in fate yet always planned and acted, answered, “Because it is fated that I should work and plan.”
The great Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar in his work *Thirukkural* says, “What is stronger than Fate? Even if we think of a way to avert it, it will forestall us.” But he also says, “Those who labor untiringly and without fault will overcome even fate.”
Two individuals in the same impoverished conditions might receive the same opportunity for education. One embraces it with dedication and hard work, while the other ignores it. The success of the first person illustrates how sustained effort can transform potential opportunities into real achievements, highlighting the role of personal effort in shaping outcomes. Winning or losing is not important; what is important is that our self-effort is 100% dedicated to the task we undertake, without diverting our attention to the results.
To sum up
FATE and Free WILL are both karma or action, with the difference being in time.
FATE: The result of past karma. We do not know our fate created by our earlier Karmas. It is hidden .
FREE WILL.. Present karma. But fate can be neutralized by exercising Free Will. With sufficient efforts, we can take the nail out of the wood. So, increase the intensity of present karma, and we can override the intensity of past karma.
Here, Divine grace plays a crucial role in overcoming past samskaras by providing guidance and opportunities for transformation.
However, it requires sincere self-effort and surrender to God. Just as external help is needed to untie someone bound by ropes, divine grace aids in our spiritual growth when we combine earnest personal effort with surrender.
We must put in genuine effort with sincerity and intelligence, avoiding self-sabotage, to make ourselves eligible for divine grace.
Ultimately, self-efforts and divine grace work together as complementary forces in our journey toward spiritual advancement.
