The Influence of Past Karmic Imprints on Life

When we observe human life, several questions naturally arise:

• Is our present life connected to actions done in past births?
• Is the current life independent, or does past karma shape it?
• Are today’s events linked to previous lives?
• Can obstacles called prārabdha (destiny) be changed?
• How does the soul carry the thread between past and present birth?
• What happens after death?*

To understand these questions, we must first recognise an essential truth: Every soul’s journey did not begin at the same time. When any particular soul began its journey is unknown, but from that first moment onward, all its good and bad actions have been accumulating.

This accumulated storehouse is called sañchita (past karmic store). The portion of karma that becomes active in a particular birth is called prārabdha. Actions performed in the previous birth are known as prākta karma. The results of actions done in this life form one’s fortune or misfortune. Sudden or unexpected events are called divine coincidences (daiva-yoga).

To understand how past karma influences life and how karmic defects can be recognised from daily events, tradition gives many examples — one of the most famous being the life of Sage Valmiki.

The story of Sage Valmiki, a central figure in India’s spiritual heritage, is well known. Before becoming a sage, he was *Vālya Koli* — a tribal hunter. His livelihood was robbery; stopping travellers, assaulting them, and taking their belongings. For him, survival was the only rule.

One day, Brahmarshi Narada took notice. Narada saw that Valya’s *prārabdha* and *past merits* were strong — he had excellent spiritual potential. Yet he had become trapped in a dark life due to karmic distortions. Recognising this, Narada intervened. He approached Valya in the form of a brahmin. As usual, Valya captured him. Narada calmly said: *“Do not kill me. I will give you whatever you want — but answer one question.”* Narada then asked: *“The sins you accumulate by robbery — will your wife share them? Ask her.”* Valya believed she surely would. But Narada wanted him to hear it directly. When Valya asked, his wife replied: *“Why should I share the sin of what you do? I only live on what you bring.”* Valya was shocked. He realised he was committing sin thinking he was serving his family — but they would not share the consequences. This inner shock opened the door to transformation. Confused, he returned to Narada and asked: *“What should I do now?”* Narada replied: *“Chant the name ‘Rama’. Everything will change.”* But Valya could not pronounce “Rama”, so Narada instructed him: *“Then chant ‘Mara Mara’.”*

Repeating *“Mara Mara”* soon transformed into *“Rama Rama”*, initiating powerful tapas. He meditated for so long that he became covered by an anthill. From this state of deep austerity, he emerged transformed — the one who would compose the Ramayana even before Rama’s birth.

The soul carries its karmic baggage from birth to birth. When conception occurs, the soul enters the womb and brings its entire karmic blueprint along with it. Life then unfolds according to this subtle script.

Just as Valya Koli’s past karmic strength was visible to Narada, every soul’s life is shaped by its sanchita. Narada intervened because:

• Valya’s destiny was powerful and positive
• but his present life had become distorted
• karmic defects pulled him into darkness

Using his spiritual authority, Narada shifted the direction of Valya’s life — turning a robber into a sage.

Valya’s past karmic store became visible to Narada. Although he had the potential for spiritual greatness, his present life had been damaged by karmic defects. Recognising this, Narada used his tapas-shakti to redirect his destiny.

Human life is shaped by countless past impressions. Events of today are not isolated — they belong to a much larger journey. Yet, as Valmiki’s life shows, with the right spiritual intervention, destiny itself can be turned toward light.