Prompted by fate

It is believed that one’s past Karma is responsible for the

situations in the present birth, and that the way one lives here

and now fashions one’s future as well. This is called destiny and it

binds every individual alike regardless of status, birth, scholarship

or wealth. All of us are subject to the powerful hold of destiny. At its core philosophy is the truth that one cannot escape the consequences of one’s actions, though one does not know

when the results manifest. In a lecture on the Bhagavata Purana, Sri B. Sundarkumar drew attention to this cause and effect feature that remains inseparable from the actions of the individual, who is compelled to reap the reward or punishment accordingly. Wrongdoing cannot go unpunished and likewise the rewards of good deeds have to be experienced. The ups and downs in the lives of people are thus explained as governed by the law of Karma or destiny.

But when an offence is made against realised souls, the effect is immediate as is seen in the case of the act of child Sukanya

whose story the Purana relates. Once Saryati, son of Vaivaswata

Manu, visited the hermitage of Sage Chayavana along with his

retinue. His daughter Sukanya, a mere child, also accompanied

him. As she was playing with her friends, she saw two bright glowing spots in an ant-hill and out of childish curiosity, poked them. Immediately blood started oozing from the place and she was

upset. Meanwhile, the entire group of people suffered severe

stomach discomfort. Saryati guessed that this was the result

of some offence. Sukanya confessed to her act. She had not

wished any harm and was sad that now the sage had become

blind. Father and daughter were repentant and willing to accept

whatever retribution the sage wished. Saryati divined that the

sage desired to marry Sukanya since his blindness had made

him a dependent. The child too agreed. Both deemed it a fit expiation for this act.

In the case of Dhruva’s stepmother Suruchi, who had hurt his feelings, she met with untimely death when she went to the forest in search of her son Uttama. The mysterious power behind the destiny of the world is variously described as the Nature or Svabhava, or as Kala or Time or the will of God.