☼ What is destiny (prārabdha)? ☼ How do karma and fate shape the soul’s experience?
In spiritual philosophy, *prārabdha* is the portion of accumulated karma from many past births that has now become active. At the moment of conception, a subtle karmic blueprint called the piṇḍa forms. A child does not receive only the qualities, strengths or weaknesses of the parents; rather, its own past-life karmas shape its destiny, deciding the nature of its joys, struggles and tendencies.
Human thoughts, likes, dislikes and natural tendencies do not easily change. In truth, changing one’s prārabdha is considered nearly impossible. Whatever joys or hardships are assigned must be experienced. Therefore many people say: *“This is my fate. My destiny cannot be changed.”*
Vālya (later Sage Vālmīki) lived according to his harsh destiny. But Sage Nārada, who understood all three times—past, present and future—approached him out of compassion. Seeing Vālya’s karmic background, Nārada transformed him through spiritual initiation, turning a hunter into a realized sage. This became his divine destiny. For most, however, karmic experiences do not dissolve so quickly.
The *Guru Charitra* and saints like Samarth Rāmdās Swami teach that true spiritual maturity arises only after many lifetimes. Our instincts, habits and tendencies evolve slowly across births. Expecting complete transformation in one life is unrealistic. Old tendencies cling tightly; *“Old habits die only with the person.”* Over many births, small refinements accumulate, making the soul disciplined, virtuous and ready for divine grace.
Beautiful statements such as *“I will see God in this very life”* are possible, but extremely rare. Many display miracles or claim powers, but creating a truly saintly, pure, spiritually mature person is beyond ordinary capability. Human development—mental and spiritual—happens silently and gradually, guided by unseen forces we seldom acknowledge.
A person spends an entire life thinking: *“I shape my destiny.”* Yet they rarely ask: Who sustains this body? Under whose authority does the mind speak? What higher power directs my actions?
Saint Tukārām Maharaj reminds us: *“This body functions under the Lord’s authority. He makes me speak. Never stop remembering Him.”*
Until the final breath, the soul seeks peace, stability and spiritual satisfaction. Yet these remain distant unless one walks a conscious spiritual path. Outward praise may surround a person after death, but only the individual knows their silent inner struggle during life.
Patterns of success, failure, joy or suffering reflect destiny. People sense these patterns but seldom reflect deeply on their meaning. Eventually many conclude: *“My fate cannot change.”*
Though prārabdha feels fixed, karma performed with awareness and discipline can uplift destiny. A person without conscious karma flows like a fallen stream. But the moment one realises: “Through right action, I can elevate my life,” or receives the guidance of a true Guru, destiny begins to transform. Suffering reduces, tendencies refine, and the life-path rises to a higher state. This is the living experience of many disciples.
“Knowledge without direct experience is not real knowledge.” Experience itself becomes the Guru.
As Yogi Vyankatanāth Maharaj teaches:
1. *“Experience cannot be explained; it must be lived. To remain spiritually dry after taking birth is not life’s purpose.”* 2. *“One must experience truth personally; only then does life find meaning.”*